Rhode Island Ed ucation Circulars 

LAWS OF RHODE ISLAND 
RELATING TO EDUCATION 



BEING EXTRACTS FROM THE CONSTITUTION, 
GENERAL LAWS, REVISION OF 1909, and PUBLIC 
LAWS of the STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, PROVID- 
ING FOR STATE AND LOCAL SUPPORT AND 
CONTROL OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PUBLIC LIBRA- 
RIES, and OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 



IN FORCE JANUARY FIRST 
I9IO 



COMPILED BY 

WALTER E. RANGER 

Commissioner of Public Schools 



PROVIDENCE 

L. FREEMAN COMPANY, STATE PRINTERS. 
1910 



\ 



D, Of 0. 

MAY BO i3ia 



"N. 



^ CONTENTS. 

^ 



PART I. EXTRACTS FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF RHODE ISLAND. 

PART II. TITLE X, OF THE GENERAL LAWS OF RHODE ISLAND, 
REVISION OF 1909, OF PITBLIC INSTRUCTION. 

Chapter 63. Of the board of education. 

Chapter 64. Of the commissioner of pubUc schools. 

Chapter 65. Of the appropriation for pubHc schools. 

Chapter 66. Of the powers and duties of towns and of the town treasiirer and 

town clerk, relating to pubhc schools. 
Chapter 67. Of the powers and duties of school committees. 
Chapter 68. Of teachers. 

Chapter 69. Of the pensioning of school teachers in this state. 
Chapter 70. Of legal proceedings relating to pubUc schools. 
Chapter 71. Of the normal school, teachers ' institutes and lectures. 
Chapter 72. Of truant children and of the attendance of children in the pubhc 

schools. 
Chapter 73. General provisions relating to pubhc schools. 
Chapter 74. General provisions to seciu-e a more uniform high standard in the 

public schools of this state. 
Chapter 75. Of enabling towns to condemn land for school purposes. 
Chapter 76. Of the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. 
Chapter 77. Of state beneficiaries at the Rhode Island School of Design. 
Chapter 78. Of factory inspection. 

PART III. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS OF THE GENERAL LAWS, 
REVISION OF 1909, RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

Chapter 32. Of the construction of statutes. 
Chapter 40. Of the permanent school fimd. 
Chapter 41. Of the pubhc records. 



4 CONTENTS. 

Chapter 46. Of the powers of . . . towns. (Schools and libraries.) 

Chapter 53. Of the establishment and control of free public libraries by towns . 

Chapter 56. Of property liable to, and exempt from, taxation. 

Chapter 59. Of assessing and collecting poll taxes. (Applied to schools.) 

Chapter 100. Of provision for the education of deaf, blind, and imbecile 

children. 

Chapter 101. Of the Rhode Island Institute for the Deaf. 

Chapter 102. Of the State Home and School for Children. 

Chapter 103. Of the establishment, maintenance, management and control 

of the Rhode Island School for the Feeble-Minded. 

Chapter 123. Of the suppression of intemperance. 

Chapter 129. Of protection to life from fire in certain buildings. 

Chapter 131. Of diminishing danger to life in case of fire. 

Chapter 135. Of dogs (Ucense fees applied to schools). 

Chapter 201. Of bills of exchange and promissory notes, and of legal interest 

(legal holidays). 

Chapter 212. Of incorporation. 

Chapter 344. Of offences against the public peace and property. » 

Chapter 345. Of offences against private property. 

Chapter 349. Of offences against public policy. 

PART IV. PUBLIC LAWS, RELATING TO EDUCATION, ENACTED IN 

1909. 

Chapter 383. Of the Rhode Island State College. 

Chapter 401. Of the pensioning of school teachers in this state. 

Chapter 417. Of the Rhode Island State College. 

Chapter 431. Of offences against the person. 

Chapter 446. Of high schools. 

Chapter 458. Of teachers. 



PART I. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF 
RHODE ISLAND. 



ARTICLE I. 
Declaration of Rights. 
Section 

2. Object of govemment. — How laws 

should be made and burdens dis- 
tributed. 

3. Religious freedom secured. 

ARTICLE IX. 
Qualifications for Office. 
Section 

1. Qualified electors only eligible. 



ARTICLE XII. 

Education. 

Section 

1. Duty of general assembly to pro- 

mote public schools, etc. 

2. The permanent public school fund. 

3. Donations for support of public 

schools. 

4. Powers of general assembly under 

this article. 



PREAMBLE. 

WE, the people of the State of Rhode Island and Provi- Preamble. 
dence Plantations, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and 
religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, 
and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure 
and to transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding genera- 
tions, do ordain and establish this constitution of government. 

ARTICLE I. 
Declaration of Certain Constitutional Rights and Principles. 

In order effectually to secure the religious and political free- Declaration, 
dom established by our venerated ancestors, and to preserve 
the same for our posterity, we do declare that the essential and 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Objects of free 
governments. 
How laws 
should be 
made. 



Religious free- 
dom secured. 



unquestionable rights and principles hereinafter mentioned shall 
be established, maintained and preserved, and shall be of para- 
mount obligation in all legislative, judicial, and executive pro- 
ceedings. 

Section 2. All free governments are instituted for the pro- 
tection, safety and happiness of the people. All laws, therefore,, 
should be made for the good of the whole; and the burdens of 
the state ought to be fairly distributed among its citizens. 

Sec. 3. Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free; 
and all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or 
burdens, or by civil incapacitations, tend to beget habits of hy- 
pocrisy and meanness; and whereas a principal object of our 
venerable ancestors, in their migration to this country and their 
settlement of this state, was, as they expressed it, to hold forth 
a lively experiment, that a flourishing civil state may stand and 
be best maintained with full liberty in religious concernments: 
we, therefore, declare that no man shall be compelled to* fre- 
quent or to support any religious worship, place, or ministry 
whatever, except in fulfillment of his own voluntary contract ; 
nor enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in his body or 
goods; nor disqualified from holding any office; nor otherwise 
suffer on account of his religious belief; and that every man shall 
be free to worship God according to the dictates of his own con- 
science, and to profess and by argument to maintain his opin- 
ion in matters of religion; and that the same shall in no wise di- 
minish, enlarge, or affect his civil capacity. 



Qualified 
electors only 
eligible. 



ARTICLE IX. 

Of Qualifications for Office. 

Section 1. No person shall be eligible to any civil office^ 
(except the office of school committee), unless he be a quali- 
fied elector for such office. 



FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF RHODE ISLAND. 7 

ARTICLE XII. 

Of Education. 
Section 1. The diffusion of knowledge, as well as of virtue, Duty of the 

general as- 

among the people, being essential to the preservation of their mStepubiK!'^' 
rights and liberties, it shall be the duty of the general assembly ucati'i^.*'^*^ ^^' 
to promote pubKc schools, and to adopt all means which they 
may deem necessary and proper to secure to the people the 
advantages and opportunities of education. 

Sec. 2. The money which now is or which may hereafter The permanent 

public school 

be appropriated by law for the establishment of a permanent ^'™'^- 
fund for the support of public schools, shall be securely in- 
vested, and remain a perpetual fund for that purpose. 

Sec. 3. i^U donations for the support, of pubHc schools, or Donations for 

support of 

for other purposes of education, which may be received by the p^^^^ schools, 
general assembly, shall be appHed according to the terms pre- 
scribed by the donors. 

Sec. 4. The general assembly shall make all necessary pro- Powers of the 
visions by law for carrying this article into effect. They shall thS'^irtiX^^'^ 
not divert said money or fund from the aforesaid uses, nor 
borrow, appropriate, or use the same, or any part thereof, for 
any other purpose, under any pretence whatsoever. 



PART II. 

TITLE X OF THE GENERAL LAWS, 
OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 61. 
13 R. I. 464. 



C!onstitution 
and duty of the 
board. 
22 R. I. 658. 



Division and 
term of oflSce of 
members. 



CHAPTER 63. 

Of the Board of Education. 



Section 

1. Board of education, how consti- 

tuted, and duties of. 

2. How divided, and term of office of 

members. 

3. Vacancies, how filled. 

4. Officers of the board. 

5. To hold quarterly meetings, and 

prescribe rules. 

6. Appropriation for free public libra- 

ries. 

7. Board to prescribe conditions on 

which libraries may receive aid. 

8. Travelling libraries, how established. 



Section 

9. Payments, how to be made. 

Annual reports by officers of schools; 

receiving state aid. 

Private schools are to be registered.. 

Registers and blanks. 

Chapter 101 unaffected. 

Annual report. 

Members and secretary of state 

board of education to be paid. 

» 
necessary expenses incurred in 

discharge of official duties. 

Provision for the instruction of adult. 

blind residents of this state. 



10. 

11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 



16. 



Section 1. The general supervision and control of the publia 
schools of the state, with such high schools, normal schools and 
normal institutes, as are or may be established and maintained 
wholly or in part by the state, shall be vested in a state board of 
education, which shall consist of the governor and the lieutenant- 
governor, as members by virtue of their oflEice, and of one other 
member from each of the counties of the state, with the excep- 
tion of Providence county, which shall have two other members. 
The board of education shall elect the commissioner of public 
schools. 

Sec. 2. The members of the board of education shall con- 
tinue to be divided into three classes, and to hold their offices 
until the terms for which they were respectively elected shall 
have expired. 



BOARD OF EDUCATION. 9 

Sec. 3. Two members of the board of education shall be Vacancies, how 

filled. 

elected annually by the general assembly in grand committee, at jan'^'lg Tqo?^' 
the January session, from the counties represented on the board 
by the members whose terms of office will next expire to succeed 
such members. The members so elected shall hold their offices 
until the first day of February in the third year after their 
election. Any vacancy which may occur in said board shall be 
filled by the general assembly for any unexpired term by the 
election of some person from the county then lacking its repre- 
sentation on said board. 

Sec. 4. The governor shall be president, and the commis- officers, 
sioner of public schools shall be secretary of the board of educa- 
tion. 

. Sec. 5. The board of education shall hold quarterly meet- Meetings. 
ings in the first week of March, June, September and December 
of each year, at the office of the commissioner of public schools, 
and may hold special meetings at the call of the president or 
secretary. They shall prescribe, and cause to be enforced, all 
rules and regulations necessary for carrying into effect the laws 
in relation to public schools. 

Sec. 6. The board of education may cause to be paid an- Free public 

nually to and for the use of each free public library established be aided. 

and maintained in the state, and to be expended in the purchase 

of books therefor, a sum not exceeding fifty dollars for the first 

five hundred volumes included in such library, and twenty-five 

dollars for every additional five hundred volumes therein: 

Provided, that the annual payment for the benefit of any one 

such library shall not exceed the sum of five hundred dollars. 

Sec. 7. The board of education shall from time to time estab- Board to pre- 
scribe condi- 

lish rules prescribing the character of the books which shall con- i*rb°ar?°s m^y^ 
stitute such a library as will be entitled to the benefits conferred ''®°®'^^ ^* 
by the preceding section, regulating the management of such 
library so as to secure the free use of the same to the people of 
the town and neighborhood in which it shall be established, and 



10 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

directing the mode in which the sums paid in pursuance of this 
chapter shall be expended. No library shall receive any benefit 
under the foregoing provisions, unless such rules shall have been 
complied with by those in charge thereof, nor until they shall 
have furnished to said board satisfactory evidence of the num- 
ber and character of the books contained in said library. 
Travelling g^^^ g^ The board of education is hereby authorized and 

libranes, how -^ 

ed and ma'in- ^' empowered to establish and maintain a system of travelling 
Pub. Laws, libraries within the state, to render aid to libraries which estab- 

1451, April 19, 

1907. \[q\^ branch or visiting libraries in schools or places approved by 

said board, and to render aid to associations which operate 

Appropriation, ^j-g^ygjii^g libraries. The sum of one thousand dollars is hereby 
annually appropriated to carry into effect the provisions of this 
section, to be paid by the general treasurer on the order of the 
state auditor upon the presentation of vouchers approved by 
said board. ♦ 

ufb™made'^°^ ^^C- 9. Every payment herein authorized shall be made by 
the general treasurer upon the order of the commissioner of pub- 
lic schools, approved by the board of education, and payable to 
the librarian or other person having charge of such library or of 
the funds applied to its support designated by said board. 

Annual reports ggc. 10. The officers, Or persous in charge of all schools 

by omcers of / i. ^ 

fngTtitflfd!^' and educational institutions supported wholly or in part by this 
state, whether entirely devoted to education or only partially so^ 
shall make a report annually in the month of July to the state 
board of education, of such facts as shall show the number of 
pupils and instructors, the courses of study, cost of maintenance, 
and general needs and conditions of the school or institution. 

Private schools gjj,(. n All private schools or institutions of learning in this 

are to be regis- "^^ i' c 

state shall be registered at the office of the state board of educa- 
tion, said registry showing location, name, officers or persons in 
charge, grade of instruction, and common language used in 
teaching. They shall also make a report annually in the month 
of July, to the state board of education, showing the number of 



tered. 



BOARD OF EDUCATION. 11 

different pupils enrolled, the average attendance, and the num- 
ber of teachers employed. 

Sec. 12. The board shall provide registers for all such gS^'^^"'^ 
schools and institutions, and shall prepare blank forms of in- 
quiry for the facts called for in the two sections next preceding, 
and in doing so shall have special reference to the requirements 
of the bureau of education at Washington. 

Sec. 13. Nothing in the three sections next preceding shall Snaffected!^ 
be so construed as to repeal, effect, or modify the provisions of 
chapter one hundred and one. 

Sec. 14. The board of education shall make an annual report PuS^Lawt^'sog 
to the general assembly at its January session. ^^' ' 

Sec. 15. The members of said board shall receive no com- ^g^^^ry of^ 

, . I. ,T . . 1 J ,1 1 J in state board of 

pensation for their services, but the general treasurer shall pay, education to be 

paid necessary 

upon the order of the state auditor, the necessary expenses of expenses in- 

'■ / ./ i curred in dis- 

the members and secretary of the board, incurred in the dis- ciS'dut?es°^" 
charge of their official duties, from any moneys in the treasury 1534, ApTfi' 21, 

1908. 

not otherwise appropriated, upon the receipt of properly au- 
thenticated vouchers. 

Sec. 16. The state board of education is hereby authorized Provision for 

the instruction 

and empowered to provide for the instruction, at their homes, of °|gfjfg^tg of'^his 
adult blind residents of this state, upon such conditions and in Pub^^aws. 
such manner as may seem proper to said board; and the sum 1908.' 
of twenty-five hundred dollars is hereby annually appropriated 
for the purpose of carrying the provisions of this section into 
effect; and the state auditor is hereby directed to draw his orders 
upon the general treasurer to pay the bills created hereunder, 
when properly authenticated by said board. 



12 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 52. 
13 R. I. 454. 



To be elected 
by the board of 
education. 



Allowance for 
clerical assist- 
ance. 

Pub. Laws, 
1473, April 23, 
1907. 



General duties 
of the commis- 
sioner. 



CHAPTER 64. 



Of the Commissioner of Public Schools. 



Section 

1. Commissioner, how elected. 

2. May employ clerical assistance. 

3. Duties of the commissioner. 

4. To secure uniformity of text-books. 

5. To prepare and distribute pro- 

gramme for Arbor Day. 

6. To report to the general assembly. 
Commissioner of public schools to 

prepare programme of exercises 
for Grand Army Flag Day. 
Fourth day of May established as 
"Rhode Island Independence 
Day." 



7. 



Section 

9. On each fourth day of May, a salute 
of 13 guns is to be fired, and state 
and national flags shall be dis- 
played on all armories and state 
buildings. 

10. To be observed with patriotic ex- 

ercises in all public schools. 

11. Commissioner of public schools to 

prepare a programme of patriotic 
exercises for the public schools. 

12. Not to be construed as a holiday. 



Section 1. There shall be annually elected a commissioner 
of public schools in the manner prescribed in the preceding 
chapter, who shall devote his time exclusively to the duties of 
his office. In case of sickness, temporary absence, or other dis- 
ability, the governor may appoint a person to act as commis- 
sioner during such absence, sickness or disability. 

Sec 2. The commissioner of public schools, with the ap- 
proval of the board of education, is hereby authorized and em- 
powered to employ clerical assistance to aid him in his duties as 
such school commissioner in a sum not exceeding sixteen hun- 
dred dollars annually, which said sum of sixteen hundred dol- 
lars is hereby annually appropriated from any money in the 
treasury not otherwise appropriated; and the state auditor is 
authorized to draw his order upon the general treasurer to pay 
the same upon receipt by him of properly authenticated 
vouchers. 

Sec 3. The commissioner of public schools shall visit, as 
often as practicable, every town in the state, for the purpose of 
inspecting the schools, and diffusing as widely as possible, by 



COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 13 

public addresses and personal communications with school 
officers, teachers and parents, a knowledge of the defects, and of 
any desirable improvements, in the administration of the system 
and the government and instruction of the schools. 

Sec. 4. He shall, under the direction of the board of educa- Text-books. 
tion, recommend and bring about, as far as practicable, a uni- 
formity of text-books in the schools of all the towns; and shall 
assist in the establishment of, and selection of books for, school 
libraries. 

Sec. 5. The commissioner of public schools shall prepare Arbor Day. 
each year a programme of exercises suitable for the observance 
of Arbor Day, and shall distribute the same among all of the 
public schools of the state at least four weeks previous to said 
day. 

Sec. 6. He shall annually, in December, make a report to the Annual report. 
board of education, upon the state and condition of the schools 
and of education, with plans and suggestions for the improve- 
ment of said schools. 

Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the commissioner of public commissioner 

, 1 . - . . . „ , of public schools 

schools to prepare a programme oi patriotic exercises for the to prepare a 

programme of 

proper observance of Grand Army Flag Day, and to furnish c'rlnd Army 
printed copies of the same to the school committees of the several plfb. Laws, 8X8, 

1 IP ^ ■ , 1,. , T Feb. 21, 1901. ' 

cities and towns at least four weeks previous to the twelfth day 
of February in each year. He shall also prepare for the use of 
the schools a printed programme providing for a uniform salute 
to the flag, to be used daily during the session of the school. 

Sec. 8. The fourth day of May in each and every year here- Fourth^day of 

lVl3,y GStS-DllSll" 

after is hereby established, in this state, as "Rhode Island In- fgianVinde-^^ 
dependence Day;" — being a just tribute to the memory of the Pub.Taws,^^' 

1591, May 26, 

members of our general assembly, who, on the fourth day of isos. 
May, 1776 — in the state house at Providence, passed an act 
renouncing allegiance of the colony to the British crown, and 
by the provisions of that act declaring it sovereign and independ- 



14 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

ent; — the first official act of its kind by any of the thirteen 

American colonies, 
da ^of^Ma^'^a ^^'^' ^' ^^ ®^^^ ^^^ 6 Very fourth day of May hereafter, 
lu'^^s k°to^be except when said day falls on the first day of the week (com- 
and national monly Called Sunday) , then on the day following, the governor 

flags shall be 

displayed on all ghall cause salutes of thirteen guns to be fired, at 12 o'clock, 

armories and " ' ' 

mgs. j^QQj^^ ^j detachments of the state artillery, at all places in the 

state where stationed, and shall cause a display of state and 

national flags on all armories and other state buildings from 

sunrise to sunset, in honor of "Rhode Island Independence 

Day." 

T9 be observed Sec. 10. The fourth day of May in each and every year here- 
with patriotic "^ '' 

pubH^schooit" after is hereby established in the annual school calendar to be 
known as "Rhode Island Independence Day," and shall be 
observed with patriotic exercises in all the public schools of the 
state, as hereinafter named. It is also provided that when 
such day shall fall on Saturday, or on Sunday, such patriotic 
school exercises shall be on the preceding or following days, 
respectively, as the case may be. 
of°"Xikfichoois ^^^- ^1- '^^^ state commissioner of public schools shall an- 
progmmme of nually prepare a programme of patriotic exercises for the proper 

patriotic exer- ,^, ,_, -i-vu- i 

cises for the observance of "Rhode Island Independence Day m the schools, 

public schools. 

and shall furnish printed copies of the same to the school com- 
mittees of the several cities and towns of the state, at least four 
weeks previous to the fourth day of May in each year. 
Not to be con- Sec. 12. The fourtli day of May as herein named, shall in 

strued as a holi- 

^^^- nowise be construed as a holiday. 



APPROPRIATION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



15 



CHAPTER 65. 



Of the Appropriation for Public Schools. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 53. 
13 R. I. 454. 



Sectiox 

1. Appropriation from treasury to be 

paid annually. 

2. How apportioned. 

3. How expended. 

4. Conditions upon which towns shall 

receive their proportion. 

5. Forfeiture of town's proportion, 

when. 



Section 

6. Orders on the general treasurer. 

7, 8. Appropriation for reference-books 

and illustrative apparatus. How 
apportioned. 
9. Of future apportionments in case 
applications exceed amount of 
' appropriation. 
10. Evening schools. 



Section 1. The sum of one hundred and twenty thousand Appropriation 

•^ from treasury. 

dollars shall be annually paid out of the income of the per- 
manent school fund, and from other money in the treasury, for 
the support of public schools in the several towns, on the order 
of the commissioner of public schools. 

Sec. 2. This sum of one hundred and twenty thousand dol- ^o^l^^^""' 
lars shall be apportioned by the commissioner of public schools 
among the several towns, as follows: The sum of one hundred 
dollars shall be apportioned for each school, not to exceed fifteen 
in number in any one town; the remainder shall be apportioned 
in proportion to the number of children from five to fifteen years 
of age, inclusive, in the several towns, according to the school 
census then last preceding. 

Sec. 3. The money appropriated from the state as aforesaid How expended, 
shall be denominated "teachers' money," and shall be applied 
to the wages of teachers, and to no other purpose. 

Sec. 4. No town shall receive any part of such state appro- Towns to re- 

■^ ^ ^ ceive, on condi- 

priation, unless it shall raise by tax, for the support of public approprktlon?^ 
schools, a sum equal to the amount it may receive from the 
treasury for the support of public schools. 

Sec. 5. If any town shall neglect or refuse to raise or appro- Forfeiture, 

when; and for- 

priate the sum required in the preceding section, on or before the Idded^to school 
first day of July, in any year, its proportion of the public money 



16 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



The commis- 
sioner to draw 
on general treas- 
urer in favor of 
towns entitled. 



Appropriation 
for reference 
books and illus- 
trative appara- 
tus. 

Pub. Laws, 640, 
April 29, 1898. 



A pportionment 
of said appro- 
priation. 
Pub. Laws, 540, 
April 29, 1898. 



Order on state 
auditor for 
same. 



Of apportion- 
ments when 
the applica- 
tions exceed 
appropriation. 



Annual appro- 
priation for 
evening schools 



shall be forfeited, and the general treasurer, on being informed 
thereof in writing by the commissioner of public schools, shall 
add it to the permanent school fund. 

Sec. 6. The commissioner of public schools shall draw orders 
on the general treasurer for their proportion of the appropriation 
for public schools, in favor of all such towns as shall on or before 
the jEirst day of July, annually comply with the conditions of 
section four of this chapter. 

Sec. 7. The sum of four thousand dollars shall be annually 
appropriated for the purchase of dictionaries, encyclopedias and 
other works of reference, maps, globes, and other apparatus, for 
the use of the public schools of the state. 

Sec. 8. Said sum of four thousand dollars shall be appor- 
tioned among the several towns as follows : Every town desiring 
to avail itself of this appropriation shall make application there- 
for to the commissioner of public schools, with vouchers for the 
amount actually expended. Upon receipt of said application 
and vouchers the commissioner of public schools may draw his 
order on the general treasurer in behalf of said applicant, for 
half the amount of said vouchers, at the rate of ten dollars for 
each school, to an amount not exceeding two hundred dollars 
in any one year for any town : Provided, that the gross amount 
in any one year shall not exceed four thousand dollars. 

Sec. 9. In case the number and amount of applications in 
any one fiscal year shall exceed the limit of the appropriation, 
the commissioner of public schools shall record the date of each 
application, and in the apportionment for the following year 
such recorded applications shall have the preference in the order 
of their dates. 

Sec. 10. There shall be an annual appropriation for the 
support and maintenance of evening schools in the several towns 
of this state, under the general supervision of the state board of 
education, who shall apportion said appropriation annually 



DUTIES OF TOWNS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



17 



among the several towns and draw orders therefor on the general 
treasurer. 



CHAPTER 66. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 54. 
2 R. I. 120 
13 R. I. 454 



Of the Powers and Duties of Towns and of the Town Treasurer 
and Town Clerk relative to Public Schools. 



Section 

1. Town to maintain its schools. 

2. School-houses, how to be pro\'ided. 

3. Corporate powers of any school dis- 

trict, to continue how. 

4. School committee, how and when 

chosen. 

5. Superintendent of schools, how 

elected. 

6. Certain towns may unite for em- 

ployment of superintendent. 

7. School committees of towns to form 

joint committee, when. 
S. Action of commissioner of public 
schools on receipt of notice that 
union has been effected. 



Section 

9. TowTi or city, not united, to be en- 
titled to certain moneys. 

10. Appropriation. 

11. Town treasurer to receive school 

money. 

To submit statement to school com- 
mittee. 

Also to commissioner of public 
schools. 

To^-n clerk to distribute school 
documents. 

School census to be taken annually. 

Census forms furnished by schoo 
commissioner. 
17. Census returns deposited, where. 



12. 



13. 



14. 



15. 
16. 



Section 1. Every town shall establish and maintain a 
sufficient number of public schools, at convenient places, under 
the management of the school committee, subject to the super- 
vision of the commissioner of public schools as provided by this 
title. 

Sec. 2, Any town may vote, in a meeting notified for that 
purpose, to provide school-houses, together with the necessary 
fixtures and appendages thereof. 

Sec. 3. The corporate powers and liabilities of any school 
district heretofore existing shall continue and remain so far as 
may be necessary for the enforcement of its rights and duties. 

Sec. 4. The school committee of each town shall consist of 
three residents of the town, or of such number as at the present 



Town to main- 
tain its schools. 



School-houses, 
how to be pro- 
vided. 



Powers and lia- 
bilities of a dis- 
continued dis- 
trict. 



School com- 
mittee, how 
and when 
chosen. 



18 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

time constitute the committee, and they shall be divided as 
equally as may be into three classes, whose several terms of 
office shall expire at the end of three years from the dates of their 
respective elections. As the office of each class shall become 
vacant, such vacancy or vancancies shall be filled by the town at 
its annual town meeting for the election of state or town ofiicers, 
or by the town council at its next meeting thereafter. In case 
of a vacancy by death, resignation, or otherwise than as is above 
provided, such vacancy shall be filled by the town council until 
the next annual town meeting for state or town officers, when it 
shall be filled for the unexpired term thereof as is above pro- 
vided. 
Superintendent Sec. 5. The school Committee of each town shall eleet a 

of schools, how 

Pub.^Laws, 989, Superintendent of the pubHc schools of the town, to perform, un- 

■^27"k'l^596. der the advice and direction of the committee, such duties, and 

to exercise such powers, as the committee shall assign him; and 

Salary of, how ^ 

liecied^^^'' to receive such compensation out of the town appropriation for 
public schools as the committee shall vote. Said superintend- 
ent shall be elected at the first regular meeting of the school com- 
mittee succeeding the annual election of school committee; but 
the committee shall have power to fill a vacancy at any meeting 
duly called. 

Certain towns- ^-^^ g ^j^y ^^^q gr more towns in which the aggregate num- 

may unite for i^-^^- "• j oo o 

Xp^erinSndln/ ber of schools shall not be more than sixty, may by vote of the 
Pub. °Laws, Qualified electors of said several towns unite for the purpose of 

1101, April 17, ^ 

1903. ^Y^Q employment of a superintendent of schools. 

School commit- Sec. 7. The school committees of the respective towns vot- 

tees of towns -i t • ,i t i- i n j> 

uniting to form ing therefor, as prescribed m the preceding section, shall form 

a joint commit- ° 

*u^r o°ses''*''*^™ ^ l^'^^^ Committee, for the purposes of this chapter; said joint 
fi47, m^Ss, committee shall be the agents of each town comprising such 

1904 

union. Said school committees shall meet annually m joint con- 
vention, on the last Friday in June, at a place and hour agreed 
upon by the chairman of the respective school committees, and 
shall organize by the choice of a chairman and secretary. They 



DUTIES OF TOWNS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 19 

shall choose by ballot a superintendent of schools, fix his salary 
and apportion the amount thereof to be paid by each of the 
towns, approximately according to the next preceding school 
census in said town. Such union shall not be dissolved be- 
cause the number of schools shall have increased beyond the 
number of sixty, nor, for any reason, for the period of three 
years from the date of the formation of such union, except by 
vote of a majority of the towns constituting such union. 

Sec. 8. Whenever the chairman and secretary of such joint miss?(?ner 'S™* 
committee shall certify to the commissioner of public schools upon°recdpt°of 

notice that said 

that a union has been effected as herein provided together with union has been 

^ '^ effected. 

the amount of salary to be paid to the superintendent of schools 
and the proportional amount to be paid by each town forming 
said union, then upon the receipt of said certificate by the com- 
missioner of public schools said commissioner shall draw his 
order upon the general treasurer in favor of each town in said 
union for the pa3'ment of one-haK the proportional amount so 
certified: Provided, the amount paid to any one union shall 
not exceed seven hundred fifty dollars, which amount shall be 
paid for the salary of said superintendent. 

Sec. 9. In case any toTSTi or city not united with any other not^ited E 
town or city as pro\dded in section six shall annually pay at least emitfed to°cer- 
fifteen hundred dollars for the salary of a superintendent of 
schools, such town or city shall be entitled to seven hundred and 
fifty dollars from the state treasury, which amount shall be paid 
toward the salary of said superintendent; and the commissioner 
of public schools shall draw his order for said amount upon re- 
ceipt of the proper certificate from the chairman and clerk of 
the school committee of said town. 

Sec. 10. There shall be appropriated annually such sum as Appropria- 
tions, 
may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the two pre- Pub- i-aw.s._ 

ceding sections. No person shall be employed as superintend- ^^^^- 

ent of schools under the provisions of this chapter unless such 

person holds a certificate of qualification issued by or under the 



20 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Superintendent 
of schools to 
hold certificate 
of qualification 
issued by state 
board of educa- 
tion. 

Pub. Laws, 
1560, May 1, 
1908. 

Town treasurer 
to receive 
school-money 
and account 
therefor. 

11 R. I. 537. 

23 R. I. .337. 



To submit 
statement 
thereof to 
school com- 
mittee. 



Also to com- 
missioner of 
public schools. 



Town clerk to 
distribute 
school docu- 
ments. 



School census 
to be taken an- 
nually, under 
the direction of 
the school com- 
mittee. 

Pub. Laws, 739, 
April 24, 1900. 



authority of the state board of education; and no town or city 
employing a superintendent not certified as herein provided shall 
be entitled to any share in the state appropriation for super- 
vision of schools. 

Sec. 11. The town treasurer shall receive the money due the 
town from the state for public schools, and shall keep a separate 
account of all money appropriated by the state or town or other- 
wise for public schools in the town, and shall pay the same to the 
order of the school committee, and he shall credit the public 
school account, on the first Monday of May in each year, with the 
total amount of money received by him for poll-taxes during the 
year ending the thirtieth day of April last preceding. 

Sec. 12. The town treasurer shall, before the first day of 
July in each year, submit to the school committee a statement of 
all moneys applicable to the support of public schools for the 
current school year, specifying the sources of the same. 

Sec. 13. The town treasurer shall, on or before the first day 
of July, annually, transmit to the commissioner of public schools 
a certificate of the amount which the town has voted to raise 
by tax for the support of public schools for the current year; and 
also a statement of the amount paid out to the order of the 
school committee, and from what sources it was derived, for the 
year ending the thirtieth day of April next preceding; and until 
such return is made to the commissioner, he may, in his discre- 
tion, withhold the order for the money in the state treasury be- 
longing to such town. 

Sec. 14. The town clerk shall distribute such school docu- 
ments and blanks as shall be sent to him, to the persons for 
whom they are intended. 

Sec. 15. The school committee of each town or city, or 
some person or persons whom they shall appoint for the purpose, 
shall annually in the month of January take a census of all per- 
sons between the ages of five and fifteen years, inclusive, residing 
within the limits of their respective towns on the first day of said 



POWERS AND DUTIES OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES. 21 

January; and said school committee shall fix the compensation 
for the above service, which shall be payable from the appro- 
priation for pubhc schools. 

Sec. 16. The blank forms required to carry out the require- Census forms to 

^ be fumisJied. 

ments of the preceding section shall be furnished by the com- ^gf^er *'°°^" 

missioner of pubhc schools to each town on or before the first 

day of December in each year, and they shall call in substance 

for the following information, namely, the name, age, number of 

weeks' attendance upon any school, parents' name and residence, 

of each person enumerated: and if any parent or guardian shall Penalty for re- 

"- rusal to give 

refuse to give the above iaformation in regard to his children or i^o™mtion. 
wards, or shall knowingly and wilfully falsify such information, 
he shaK be fined not exceeding twenty dollars. 

Sec. 17. The returns of said census shall be alphabetically Census returns 

to be deposited 

arranged and deposited in the hands of the school committees '^I^S^- and cer- 

'- tined to acliool 

of the several towns on or before the first day of March in each <=°™™^i<^'i«'^- 
year; and the receipt of the chairman or clerk of the school com- 
mittee to the effect that the above returns have been so received 
by him, shall be forwarded to the commissioner of public schools 
before he shah draw his order for the payment of any portion of 
the public money to that town. 



CH4^PTER fi7 Gea. Laws. 

V^XlAJrri!.JX D/. 1896, Ch. 60. 



Of the Powers and Duties of School Committees. 

Section | Section 

1. Officers of school committee. of superintendent in towns not 

2. Meetings of aciiool committee. uniting. 

3. Location of school-houses. 10. Annual report of school committee. 

4. Instruction in physiology and hy- H. Printing report, how paid for. 

giene. 12. School committee to furnish books 

5. Committee to visit the schools. and supplies. 

6. To make rules. 13. Change Ln school books, how made- 

7. May authorize children to attend i 14. Public school to be provided with 

school in adjoining towns. ' United States Sag. 

8. May suspend pupils. i 15. Flag to be displayed, when. 

9. Selection of teachers and election ' 16. Grand Army Flag Day established. 



13 R. L 454. 



22 LAWS BELATING TO EDUCATION, 

Sofco^iS- Section 1. The school committee of each town shall choose 
^^' a chairman and clerk, either of whom may sign any orders or 

official papers, and may be removed at the pleasure of said com- 
mittee. 
^^fo^S- ^-^*^- -• ^® school committee of each town shall hold at 
^^' least f onr regular meetings in every year, at such time and place 

within the town as the committee shall by general order fix and 
dete rmin e, 
^clo^^-h'o^e?'^ ^■^^- ^- "^^ school committee shall locate all school-houses, 
27 p^.' 1.' ^5^.' a^d shall not abandon or change the location of any without 

good cause, 
lastraction in gEQ, 4_ ^he school committees of the several towns shall 

pii3'siology and 

hyasne. make provisiou for the instruction of the pupils in all schools 

supported wholly, or in part, by public money, in physiology and 
hygiene, with special reference to the effects of alcohohc liquors, 
stimulants and narcotics upon the human system. 

To -risit the Sec. 5. The school co mmi ttee shall visit, by one or more of 

Bciiools. 

their number, ever}- pubhc school in the town at least, twice 
during each term, once within two weeks of its opening and once 
within two weeks of its close; at which visits thej shall examine 
the register and matters touching the school-house, library, 
studies, books, discipline, modes of teaching and improvement 
of the school. 

feSe^chooff Sec. 6. The school committee shall make and cause to be 
put up in each school-house, rules and regulations for the at- 
tendance and classijB.cation of the pupils, for the introduction 
and use of text-books and works of reference, and for the instruc- 
tion, government and discipline of the public schools, and shall 
prescribe the studies to be pursued therein, under the direction 
of the commissioner of public schools. 

May authorize Sec. 7. Whenever the school committee of anv town shall 

children to at- 

Idjoi^lto^. ^^ '^^^'^ ^'^ i^ more convenient or expedient for any child residing 
in said town to attend school in an adjoining town, said com- 
mittee may arrange with the school authorities of such town for 



Tihfi- aruendinjce oi su-ch ch ild iH uh.eir sciiGois. ina rruiy pay for 
such. tnrtioiL qhc of tKe town appropriiiLion for pnblic sctools. 
TKe anLoinit so paid ^Pi^H be used for school purposes only. 

Sec. S. TKe scKool eornmirc ee m^fcy snspead dnrmg pleasccre- Mayaasnead 

„ . . atmiis. 

sJI pnpils found goiliiy of incorrrgrbly bad conduct or of violation 
of xhe school r^olations. 

Sec. 9. The selection of teachers, and eLecdon of snperin- p^_ ^^^^ 
tendent. m such towns as do not nndie ror the empio-vment or a iocs. 

26 H- i. Ida. 

soperirttendeni:. and the entire care^ eontroL a rid TnaTragement seJeetam of 

r^icfaiHH. ere. 

of att the pnbEc school interests of the several towns, sha lT be 
vested in the school committee of the several towns, and they 
shall also draw alL orders for the payment of their expenses. 

Sec. 10. The school committee sh alf prepare and submit AmraaLrraonr 

of tile 3«difloL 

annually to the eommissioner of public schools, on or before liie (smmmni^^ 
first day or Jxdy. a report in manner and form by him prescribed: 
and until such report is made to the commi^oner. he may refuse 
to draw his order for the money in the state treasury belongiug 
to such town : Provided, that the necesary blank for said report 
has been, furnished hy the commi^oner on or before the first 
day of May next preceding; they shall also prepare and submit 
annually, at the a nnu al town meetings a report to the town, set- 
ting forth their doings, the state and condition of the schools 
and plans for their fmprovementy which report, unless printed, 
shall be read in open town meeting; and if printed, at least three 
copies shall be transmitted to the conxmisiQner on or before the 
first day of July in each year. 

Sec. 11. The school committee may reserve annually out of Pmidngrepan;. 

T T T- - - T- • T TT hjrwpauimr. 

the public appropriation., a sam not exceeding torty dollars to 
defray the expense of printing their annual report. 

Sec. 12. The school committee of every city and town. sh.<tIT 3c!io«icajimmr- 

... , tee ro fumisti 

purchase, at the expense or such crtv or town, text-books and books and sup- 
plies. 

other school supplies used in the pubEc schools: and said text- 
books and supplies shall be loaned to the pupils of said public 



24 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Change in the 
school books, 
how made. 



Public schools 
to be provided 
with a United 
States flag, flag- 
staff, and ap- 
pliances there- 
for. 

Pub. Laws, 818, 
Feb. 21, 1901. 



United States 
flag to be dis- 
played upon 
public school 
buUdings or 
premises, when. 



Grand Army 
Flag Day es- 
tablished. 



schools free of charge, subject to such rules and regulations as to 
care and custody as the school committee may prescribe. 

Sec. 13. A change may be made in the school books in the 
public schools of any town by a vote of two-thirds of the whole 
school committee; and in the city of Providence by a vote of a 
majority of all the members elected to the school committee, 
notice of the proposed change having been given in writing at a. 
previous regular meeting of said committee: Provided, that no 
change be made in any text-book in the public schools of any 
town oftener than once in three years, unless by the consent of 
the board of education. 

Sec. 14. The school committees of the several cities and 
towns of the state shall, in the same manner as now provided by 
law for the purchase of supplies for public schools by such com- 
mittees, purchase for every such school in their respective cities 
and towns not now provided therewith, a United States flag,, 
flagstaff, and the necessary appliances therefor; and thereafter 
whenever the flag, flagstaff, or the necessary appliances there- 
for of any such school shall from any cause become unsuitable 
for further use, such school committee shall in the same manner 
purchase others in place thereof. 

Sec. 15. The school committees of the several cities and 
towns shall cause the United States flag to be displayed upon 
the public school buildings or premises therein during school, 
hours if in their best judgment it be practicable, otherwise at 
such times as they may direct, and such committees shall also 
establish rules and regulations for the proper care, custody, and 
display of the flag; and when, for any cause, it is not displayed. 
it shall be placed conspicuously in the principal room of the 
school building. 

Sec. 16. The twelfth day of February in each and every 
year hereafter is hereby established in the annual school calendar 
to be known as Grand Army Flag Day, in honor of the birthda}r 



TEACHERS. 



25 



of Abraham Lincoln, and shall be observed with patriotic 
exercises in the public schools; but such day shall in nowise be 
construed to be a holiday. It is also provided that when such 
day shall fall on Sunday or on Saturday, the following or pre- 
ceding days respectively, as the case may be, shall be observed. 



CHAPTER 68. 



Of Teachers. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 61. 
13 R. I. 454. 



Section 

1. Certificate of qualification required- 

2. State board of education to cause 

examinations to be held. 

3. State board of education may issue 

certificates without examination, 
when. 

4. May annul certificates for cause. 



Section 

5. Teachers may be dismissed, when. 

6. Teachers to keep register of scholars 

and certain records, and make re- 
port. 

7. School officers ineligible to teach in 

public schools. 

8. Moral instruction. 



Section 1. No person shall be employed to teach, as princi- No person to 

teach without 

pal or assistant, in any school supported wholly or in part by certificate of 

public money unless such person shall have a certificate of boi^d^oTeduca- 

qualification issued by or under the authority of the state board 

of education. And in case any city or town shall pay or cause 

to be paid any of the public money to any person for tea-ching as fowns* or ''cities 

aforesaid who did not, at the time of such teaching, hold such teachers°not 

holding such 

certificate, then the commissioner of public schools shall deduct certificates. 

Pub. Laws, 

a sum equal to the amount so paid from the amount of the state's iii|; ^^^^^ i^- 
money due, or which may thereafter become due, such city or 
town before giving his order in favor of such city or town for 
for any of the public money under the provisions of chapter 
sixty-five. 

Sec. 2. The state board of education shall hold, or cause to state board of 

education to 

be held, in such places in different parts of the state, and at such tfon^to'^b™'"'^' 
times as they may determine, examinations for the position of p^^' ^^^^ ^^^ 
teacher in the public schools of this state ; and said board of ilgs!^' ^'^^ *' 



26 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



May issue cer- 
tificates. 
Pub. Laws, 544, 
sec. 12, May 4, 
1898. 



And annul 

them. 

Pub. Laws, 544, 

sec. 11, May 4, 

1898. 



Teachers may 
be dismissed, 
when. 



Teachers to 
keep a register 
of scholars and 
certain records. 
and make re- 
port. 



Members of 
school commit- 
tee are ineli- 
gible to teach 
in public 
schools. 



Pub. Laws 620, 
Mar. 3, 1899. 



Moral instruc- 
tion. 



education is hereby authorized to issue certificates of quahfica- 
tion which shall be valid throughout the state for the grade and 
time specified therein. 

Sec. 3. Said state board of education may, in their dis- 
cretion, issue certificates of qualification without examination to 
persons who may present evidence of qualification and shall 
comply with the regulations of said board. 

Sec. 4. Said board of education may at any time annul for 
cause any certificate issued by them, after due notice to the 
holder thereof, and an opportunity for a hearing if desired. 

Sec. 5. The school committee of any town may, on reason- 
able notice and a hearing of such teacher, dismiss any teacher 
for refusal to conform to the regulations by them made, or for 
other just cause. 

Sec. 6. Every teacher in any public school shall keep a regis- 
ter of the names of all the scholars attending said school, their 
sex, age, names of parents or guardians, the time when each 
scholar enters and leaves the school, the daily attendance, to- 
gether with the days of the month on which the school is visited 
by any officer connected with public schools, and shall prepare 
any report required by the school committee or commissioner of 
public schools. 

Sec. 7. No member of the school committee of any town, 
shall, so long as he continues in said office of member of the 
school committee, be eligible or employed to teach as principal 
or assistant in any school supported entirely or in part by the 
public money, within the town where said member of the school 
committee resides. 

Sec. 8. Every teacher shall aim to implant and cultivate in 
the minds of all children committed to his care the principles of 
morality and virtue. 



PENSIONING OF SCHOOL TEACHERS. 



27 



CHAPTER 69. 



0/ the Pensioning of School Teachers in this State. 



Pub. Laws, 
1468, April 23, 
1907. 



Section 

1. Provision for pensioning of school 
teachers. 



Section 

2. Duty of state board of education. 

3. Appropriation. 



Section 1. Any person of either sex who on the 23cl clay of Provision for 

the pensioning 

April, 1907, or thereafter shall have reached the age of sixty of school teach- 
years, and who for thirty-five years shall have been engaged in 
teaching as his principal occupation and have been regularly 
employed as a teacher in the public schools or in such other 
schools within this state as are supported wholly or in part by 
state appropriation and are entirely managed and controlled by 
the state, twenty-five years of which employment, including the 
fifteen years immediately preceding retirement, shall have been 
in this state, may at the expiration of a school year, unless his 
private contract with his employer shall otherwise provide, be 
retired by his employer or voluntarily retire from active service, 
and on his formal application shall receive from the state for the 
remainder of his life an annual pension equal to one-half of his 
average contractual salary during the last five years before 
retiring, but in no case shall such annual pension be more than 
five hundred dollars: Provided, however, that no such employ- 
ment as teacher within this state after said twenty-third day of 
April, nineteen hundred seven, shall be included within its 
provisions, unless the teacher shall hold a certificate of qualifi- 
cation issued by or under the authority of the state board of 
education. (See Chap. 401, Pub. Laws.) 

Sec. 2. The state board of education shall make all needful Duty of the 

,. „.. .„ p ,.„. state board of 

regulations tor issuing certincates of qualification and carrying education in 

° ° ^ ./ o connection with 

into effect the other provisions of this chapter, and shall examine *^^® chapter, 
into and determine the eligibility of each and every applicant to 
receive a pension under the provisions of this chapter. 



28 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Appro pnation. ^^^^ ^ Yot the purpose of Carrying this chapter into effect 
the sum of ten thousand dollars or so much thereof as may be 
necessary is hereby appropriated out of any money in the trea- 
sury not otherwise appropriated, and the state auditor is hereby 
directed to draw his orders on the general treasurer in favor of 
such persons and for such sums as shall be certified to him by the 
state board of education, according to the provisions of this 
chapter. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 62. 
13 R. I. 454. 



CHAPTER 70. 
Of Legal Proceedings Relating to Public Schools. 



Appeals to 
school com- 
eioner. 

6 R. I. 144. 

10 R. I. 616. 

11 R. I. 596. 



To justice of 
supreme court, 
when. 

6 R. I. 144. 



Rules of 
appeals. 



Section 

1. Appeals to school commissioner. 

2. To justice of supreme court. 

3. Rules of appeals. 

4. Submissions to commissioner by 

agreement to be final. 



Section 

5. Costs not taxed, when. 

6. School commissioner may remit 
fines, when. 



Section 1. Any person aggrieved by any decision or doings 
of any school committee, or in any other matter arising under 
this title, may appeal to the commissioner of public schools who, 
after notice to the party interested of the time and place of hear- 
ing, shall examine and decide the same without cost to the 
parties: Provided, that nothing contained in this section shall 
be so construed as to deprive such aggrieved party of any legal 
remedy. 

Sec. 2. The commissioner of public schools may, and if 
requested on hearing such appeal by either party shall, lay a 
statement of the facts of the case before one of the justices of the 
supreme court, whose decision shall be final. 

Sec. 3. The commissioner of public schools may from time 
to time prescribe rules regulating the time and manner of taking 
such appeals, and rules to prevent appeals for trifling and 
frivolous causes. 



NORMAL SCHOOL, INSTITUTES AND LECTURES. 



29 



Sec. 4. Parties having any matter of dispute between them submissions to 

. ... . commissioner 

arisma- under this title, may agree in writing to submit the same by agreement, 
to the adjudication of said commissioner, and his decision there- 
in shall be final. 

Sec. 5. In any civU suit before any court against any school Costs not 

taxed, when. 

officer for any matter which might by this chapter have been ii R. i. 596. 

heard and decided by the commissioner of public schools, no 

costs shall be taxed for the plaintiff if the court is of opinion that 

such officer acted in good faith. 

Sec. 6. The commissioner of public schools may, by and with School com- 
missioner may 
the advice and consent of the board of education, remit all fines, ''emit fines, 

' ' when. 

penalties and forfeitures incurred by any town, or person, under 
any of the provisions of this title, except the forfeiture incurred 
by any town for not raising its proportion of money. 



CHAPTER 71. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 63. 
13 R. I. 454. 



Of the Normal School, Teachers ' Institutes and Lectures. 



Section 

1. Normal school, how managed. 

2. Qualification for free tuition. 

3. Admission of pupils to normal 

school. 

4. Diplomas to whom. 



Section 

5. Travelling expenses of pupils. 

6. Appropriation for institutes and 

lectures. 

7. Annual account of commissioner of 

public schools. 



Section 1. The normal school shall be under the manage- Normal school 

how to be man- 

ment of the board of education and the commissioner of public ^^l^j^ 
schools as a board of trustees. 



4 R. I. 602. 



Sec. 2. All applicants from the several towns in the state Qualification 

for free tuition. 

shall be admitted to free tuition in said school, after having * ^- •'■• ^^*^- 
passed such an examination as may be prescribed by the board 
of trustees, and after having given to such board satisfactory 
evidence of their intention to teach in the public schools of this 
state for at least one year after leaving the said school. 



30 



LAWS KELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Of the admis- 
sion of certain 
pupils to the 
normal school. 
Pub. Laws, 
861, Mar. 29, 
1901. 



Diplomas, to 
whom. 
Pub. Laws, 
779, May 30, 
1900. 



Travelling ex- 
penses of pupils 
may be paid. 
When. 
Pub. Laws, 
719, Feb. 9, 
1900. 

Amended by 
Pub. Laws, 
960, Mar. 27, 
1902. 



Appropriation 
for institutes 
and lectures. 



Annual account 
of commis- 
sioner of pub- 
lic schools. 



Sec. 3. The trustees may admit to the classes of said school 
persons not intending to teach in the public schools of the state 
upon the payment by them of such tuition fees as may be deter- 
mined by the trustees. They shall make, each term, a return to 
the general treasurer of all moneys received by them in pursu- 
ance of the aforesaid authority. 

Sec. 4. Persons who shall have passed the regular course of 
studies at the normal school shall on the written recommenda- 
tion of the principal receive a diploma issued by the trustees of 
the school. 

Sec. 5. The trustees of the normal school may pay to each 
pupil who shall reside within the state who shall have been duly 
admitted thereto, and who shall have attended the regular ses- 
sions of said school and complied with the regulations thereof 
during the term next preceding such payments, not exceeding 
twenty-five dollars for each quarter-year for travelling expenses; 
but such payments in the aggregate for such travelling expenses 
shall not exceed the sum of four thousand dollars in any one year, 
and shall be made to the respective pupils entitled to the same 
in proportion to the distance they may reside from said school. 

Sec. 6. A sum not exceeding five hundred dollars shall be 
annually paid for defraying the necessary expenses and charges 
for teachers and lecturers for teachers' institutes, to be holden 
under the direction of the commissioner of public schools; and a 
sum not exceeding three hundred dollars shall be annually paid 
under the direction of the board of education for publishing and 
distributing among the several towns educational publications, 
providing lectures on educational topics and otherwise pro- 
moting the interests of education in the state. 

Sec. 7. The commissioner of public schools shall render an 
annual account to the state auditor of his expenditures under 
the provisions of this chapter with his vouchers therefor. 



ATTENDANCE OF CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



31 



CHAPTER 72. 

Of Truant Children, and of the Attendance of Children in the 
Public Schools. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 64. 

13 R. I. 299. 

13 R. I. 454. 



Section 

1. Attendance at day schools required. 

2. Private schools may be approved. 

3. Truant officers, how appointed. 

4. Truant officers to visit places of 

employment. 



Section 

5. Truant officers may complain of 

habitual truants. Court may 
place on probation. 

6. Fines, how to inure. 

7. Jurisdiction of district courts. 

8. Truant officers not required to 

give surety for costs. 



Section 1. Every child who has completed seven years of children to at- 
tend a public 

life and has not completed fifteen years of life, unless he has com- day school for 

^ "^ ' what time in . 

pleted in the public schools the elementary studies taught in the p^^^ lTws, 
first eight years of school attendance, exclusive of kindergarten 1902'. ^'^' 
instruction, provided for in the course of study adopted by the 
school committee of the city or town wherein such child resides, 
or unless he shall have completed fourteen years of life and shall 
be lawfully employed at labor or at service or engaged in busi- 
ness, shall regularly attend some public day-school during all the 
days and hours that the public schools are in session in the city 
or town, wherein he resides; and every person having under his 
control a child as above described in this section, shall cause such 
child to attend school as required by the above-stated provisions 
of this section, and for every neglect of such duty the person 
having control of such child shall be fined not exceeding twenty ceptff or' certain 

causes. 

dollars : Provided, that if the person so charged shall prove or 
shall present a certificate, made by or under the direction of the 
school committee of the city or town wherein he resides, setting 
forth that the child has already completed the elementary studies 
above mentioned; or that the child has attended for the required 
period of time a private day school, or upon private instruction 
approved by the school committee of the city or town where said 
private school was located or said private instruction was given; 



32 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

or that the physical or mental condition of the child was such as 
to render his attendance at school inexpedient or impracticable ; 
or that the child was destitute of clothing suitable for attending 
school and that the person having control of said child was un- 
able to provide suitable clothing; or that the child was excluded 
from school by virtue of some general law or regulation — then 
such attendance shall not be obligatory nor shall such penalty 
be incurred; but' nothing in this section shall be construed to 
allow the absence or irregular attendance of any child who is 
enrolled as a member of any school, or of any child sent to school 
by the person having control of such child, 
schookmay be Sec. 2. For the purposes of this chapter the school com- 

approved. •,, i n • , , . . . , 

mittee shall approve a private school or private instruction only 
when they are satisfied that the period of attendance of the pupil 
in such school or upon such instruction is substantially equal to 
that required by law of a child attending a public school in the 
same city or town; that the teaching in such school or such in- 
struction in all studies except foreign languages, and any studies 
not taught in the public schools, is in the English language; that 
such teaching or instruction is thorough and efficient ; and that 
registers are kept and returns to the school committee and truant 
officers in relation to the attendance of pupils are made the 
same as by the public schools. 
Truant officers, ggc. 3. The school committee of each city or town shall 

now appointed *' 

annually in the month of December appoint one or more persons 
as truant officers, who shall by virtue of said appointment be 
clothed with the power of special constables, and fix their com- 
pensation, which shall be payable from the appropriation for 
public schools. The school committee may also furnish all 
necessary supplies and clerical assistance for the proper and 
efficient performance of the duties of the truant officer. The 
school committee of two or more cities or towns may appoint 
the same truant officer or officers, and any school committee 
that appoints teachers or other employees on a different tenure 



and duties of. 



attexda:s-ce of children in public schools. . 66 

of office than annual appointments, may appoint truant officers 
on a similar tenure in lieu of the annual appointment above 
mentioned in this section and may fix theii- compensation from 
time to time. Said truant officers shall under the direction of 
the school committee inquire into all cases arising under pro- 
\-isions of this chapter, and shall alone be authorized, in case of 
\iolation of any of the provisions of this chapter, to make com- 
plaint therefor : they may also serve all legal processes issued in 
pursuance of this chapter, but shall not be entitled to receive 
any fees for such ser\ice: Provided, kowerer, that in case of the 
commitment of any person under the provisions of any section. 
of this chapter, or for default of payment of any fine and costs 
imposed thereunder, such officer shall be entitled to the regular 
fees allowed by law for similar service. 

Sec. 4. The truant officers may visit any places or establish- xmaat officers- 
ments where such minor children as are described in the pre- piteeJ^f em- 

pIojTnent and 

ceding sections of this chapter are emploved, to ascertain demand of em- 

J. . 7 ployers a report 

whether the provisions of this chapter are duly complied with, ^^'^cMdren*'^ 

and may as often as twice in every year demand from all em- ^°^^ °' 

ployers of such children a 'report containing the names of all 

children who have not completed sixteen years of life that are 

employed by them, such report to give the names, ages, and 

residences of all such children: and all employers of such children 

shall, upon request, produce for the inspection of the truant 

officer the certificates prescribed in chapter seventy-eight; and 

for any refusal to make such reports as are above provided for. 

or for any refusal to produce the above-mentioned certificates, 

any employer of such children shall be fined not exceeding ten 

dollars. 

Sec. 5. Every habitual truant, that is. every child who is re- xrutint officer 
quired under section one of this chapter to attend school and of'^an'^hSntuS 

truant or habit- 

who wilfullv and habituallv absents himself therefrom- and "^i *'--'iooi ^«"- 

' "'^'-'- tender, and up- 

every habitual school offender, that is. every child who is re- MTobel'^om- 
quired to attend school under the provisions of section one of ' "^^ 



34 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Court may 
place such of- 
fender on pro- 
.bation. 



Fines, how to 
inure. 



Jurisdiction of 
district courts. 



this chapter, but who persistently violates the rules and regula- 
tions of the school which he attends, or otherwise persistently 
misbehaves therein, so as to render himself a fit subject for 
exclusion therefrom, may be complained of by the truant officer 
for being an habitual truant, or habitual school offender, as the 
case may be, and upon such complaint and conviction of the 
offence charged in such complaint, shall be committed to the 
Sockanosset School for Boys, or to the Oaklawn School for 
Girls, for a period not exceeding his minority: Provided, how- 
ever, that any court or magistrate by whom a child has been con- 
victed of an offence under this chapter may in his discretion 
defer sentence and place such child on probation in the custody 
and control of a truant officer of the city or town wherein such 
child resides, or of a probation officer, for such period of time 
and upon such conditions as said court or magistrate may deem 
best; and whenever within such period the child violates the 
conditions of his probation, he shall be brought into court and 
said court or magistrate may in his discretion place such child 
on further probation in the custody and control of the state 
board of charities and corrections 'for such period of time and 
upon such conditions as said court or magistrate may deem best ; 
and whenever within such period the child violates the condition 
of his further probation, he shall be brought into court and 
receive sentence for the offence of which he was convicted when 
he was placed on probation: Provided, hoivever, that the child 
may at any time demand that sentence be passed upon him; 
and also provided, that the court or magistrate, whenever con- 
vinced that the child has reformed, may discontinue the com- 
plaint without sentence. 

Sec. 6. All fines under the provisions of this chapter shall 
inure and be applied to the support of the public schools in the 
city or town where the offence was committed. 

Sec. 7. The district courts of the state shall have juris- 



GENERAL PROVISIOXS RELATING TO SCHOOLS. 



35 



diction in their respective districts of all cases arising under 
this chapter. 

Sec. S. No oflficer complaining under any of the provisions Truant officer 

. . , complaining, 

of this chapter shall be required to give surety for costs; and not required to 

give surety for 

such officer shall not in anywise become liable for any costs costs. 
that may accrue on such complaint. 



CHAPTER 73. 



General Provisions Relating to Public Schools. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 65. 
13 R. I. 454. 



^ECTIO^' 

1. Exclusion from school by general 

rule. 

2. Penalty for neglect of duties. 

3. Schools aided by state to be visited. 

4. Penalty for refusal. 

5. Nuisances prohibited near school- 

house. 

6. School conunittee of city of Pro-sn- 

dence. 



SECTION" 

7. Fees prohibited to school officers. 

8. Offering of fees prohibited. 

9. Children of deceased soldiers and 

sailors admitted free, when. 
10. No pupil allowed to attend school 
without certificate of vaccina- 
tion. 

11. Penalty. 

12. Special statutes to prevail. 



Penalty for ne- 
glect of duties. 



Section 1. Xo person shall be excluded from any public Exclusion to be 
school on account of race or color, or for being over fifteen years rule, 
of age, nor except by force of some general regulation applicable 
to all persons under the same circumstances. 

Sec. 2. Every school officer who shall make any false cer- 
tificate, or appropriate any public school money to any purpose 
not authorized by law, or who shall refuse for a reasonable 
charge to give certified copies of any official paper, or to account 
for or deliver to his successor any accounts, papers or moneys 
in his hands, or shall wilfully or knowingly refuse to perform any 
duty of his office, or violate any provisions of any law regulating 
public schools, except where a particular penalty may be pre- 
scribed, shall be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars or be 
imprisoned not exceeding six months, and shall be liable to an 



36 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION-. 



Schools aided 
by state to be 
visited. 



Penalty for re- 
fusal. 



Nuisances pro- 
hibited near 
school-houses. 



Pub. Laws, 
420, Oct. 2, 
1896. 



School com- 
mittee, city of 
Providence. 



Fees, or pecu- 
niary interest 
in supplies, 
prohibited to 
the school offi- 



action of the case for damages to be brought by any person in- 
jured thereby. 

Sec. 3. Anj^ school receiving aid from the state/ either by 
direct grant or by exemption from taxation, may be visited and 
examined by the school committee of the town in which such 
school is situated, and by the members of the board of education 
and the commissioner of public schools, whenever they shall 
deem it advisable. 

Sec. 4. Whenever such school shall refuse to permit such 
visitation, when requested, its exemption from taxation shall 
thereafter cease and be determined. 

Sec. 5. No person shall keep any swine in aiw pen or other 
enclosure, or shall keep or suffer to be kept any other nuisance, 
within one hundred feet of any school-house or within one 
hundred feet of any fence enclosing the j'ard of anj^ such school- 
house. 

Sec. 6. In the city of Providence the school committee of 
said city shall hereafter employ the superintendent and teachers, 
have charge and custody of all school buildings and school 
property, manage and regulate the schools, and draw all orders 
for the pajanent of their expenses from the money appropriated 
by the city council for the support of public schools: Provided, 
however, that the city council of said city shall have the expendi- 
ture of all sums appropriated for the purchase of land for school 
purposes or for the improvement of the same or for the con- 
struction or repair of school buildings. 

Sec. 7. No superintendent or school committee of any town, 
or any person officially connected with the government or direc- 
tion of the public schools, shall receive any private fee, gratuity, 
donation or compensation in any manner whatsoever for pro- 
moting the sale or the exchange of any school-book, map or 
chart in any public school, or be an agent for the sale or the 
publisher of any school text-book, or be directly or indirectly 
pecuniarily interested in the introduction of any school text- 



GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO SCHOOLS. 37 

loook; and any such agency or interest shall disqualify any per- 
son SO acting or interested from holding any school office what- 
soever. 

Sec. 8. No person shall offer to any public school officer any Offering of 

fees, etc, pro- 
fee, commission or compensation whatsoever, as an inducement hibited, 

to effect through such officer any sale or promotion of sale, or 
exchange, of any school-book, map, chart or school-apparatus. 

Sec. 9. All the public schools in the state, including the children of de- 
State Normal School, shall be open to the children of officers and sailors ad- 
mitted free, 
and soldiers belonging to the state, mustered into the service of '^^en. 

12 R, I, 574 

the United States, and of those persons belonging to the state, 
and serving in the navy of the United States, who died in said 
service during the late rebellion against the authority of the 
United States, or who w^re discharged from said service in con- 
sequence of wounds or disease contracted in said service, or who 
were killed. in battle, without any cost or expense for taxes or 
■other charges imposed for purposes of public education. 

Sec. 10. No person shall be permitted to attend any public no pupii ai- 
■school in this state as a pupil, unless such person shall furnish to a public school 

without a cer- 

the teacher of such school a certificate of some practising physi- tificate of 

1 o r- ^ vaccination. 

■cian that such person has been properly vaccinated as a pro- 
tection from small-pox; and every teacher in the public schools 
shall keep a record of the names of such pupils in their respective 
schools as have presented such certificate. 

Sec. 11. Every person violating any provision of this chap- Penalty for 
ter shall be fined not exceeding fifty dollars or be imprisoned not chapter, 
•exceeding thirty days, unless herein otherwise provided. 

Sec. 12. The foregoing provisions of this title are subject to Special statutes 

to prevail. 

the provisions of any special statutes respecting schools, or the 
management of schools, in any particular town or city, none of 
which are repealed hereby. 



38 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Pub. Laws, 
544, May 4, 
189S. 



CHAPTER 74. 

General Provisions to Secure a TJnijorrti High Standard in the 
Public Schools of the State. 



Section 

3. Consolidation of ungraded schools. 

2. Town maintaining high school en- 

titled to allowance. 

3. Applications for aid under ihis 

chapter. 



Section 

4. Forfeiture of claim to state assist- 

ance, when. 

5. Annual appropriation. 

6. How apportioned. 

7. School committee may consolidate; 

schools, when. 



Consolidation 
of ungraded 
schools. 



Section 1. In case any town shall consolidate three or more 
ungraded schools, and instead thereof shall estabhsh and main- 
tain a graded school of two or more departments with an "aver- 
age number belonging" of not less than twenty pupils for each 
department, the state shall pay to such town one hundred 
dollars annually for each depart.ment of said schools towards the 
support thereof. Two or more towns may unite in the estab- 
hshment and maintenance of such graded school, and in such 
cases the money paid bj' the state towards the support thereof 
shall be divided between the towns thus maintaining said school 
according to the number of pupils contributed by each town to 
the whole ''average number belonging."' 
Town main- Sec. 2. Any towu maintaining a high school havmg a course 

taining high 

tc^^owanee^'^ *^^ study approved by the state board of education, shall be en- 
titled to receive annually from the state twenty dollars for each 
pupil in average attendance for the first twenty-five pupils, and 
ten dollars for each pupil in average attendance for the second 
twenty-five pupils. Any town not maintaining a high school^ 
which shall make provision for the free attendance of its children 
at some high school or academ}^ approved by the state board of 
education, shall be entitled to receive aid from the state for 
each pupil in such attendance upon the same basis and to the 
same extent as if it maintained a high school by itself. (See 
Chap. 446, Pub. Laws.) 



rXIFORM HIGH STAXDARD IX PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 39 

Sec. 3. All applications for aid under this chapter shall be AppUcationiS 
made to the commissioner of public schools by the school com- 
mittee of the town; and said application must be accompanied 
by the certificate of the principal teacher of the school on account 
of which the application is made, setting forth the facts relating 
to the attendance which is made the basis of the application. 

Sec. 4. After any school, such as is provided for in section Forfeiture of 

' ■"• claiin to state 

one of this chapter, has been estabhshed it shall not forfeit its ^^s'^*^"'^®- 
claim to its share of the state aid for a failure to maintain the 
required "average number belonging'' unless said "average 
number belonging" falls below fifteen for the several depart- 
ments. 

Sec. 5. The sum of twenty thousand dollars, or so much Annual appr?- 
thereof as may be needed, shall be annually appropriated for 
the payment of the several sums which may become due and 
payable under the provisions of this chapter; and the state audi- 
tor is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders on the 
general treasurer in favor of such towns for such sums as shall 
be certified to him by the commissioner of public schools as due 
to said towns under the pro\dsions of this chapter. 

Sec. 6. In the apportionment of the annual appropriation of How appor- 
one hundred and twenty thousand dollars provided by law for 
the support of public schools, no town shall forfeit any portion 
thereof hereafter on account of any reduction in the number of its 
schools, by reason of the consolidation thereof in accordance with 
the provisions of this chapter, but each town shall continue to be 
entitled to the same amount from said annual appropriation 
upon the basis of the number of schools prior to such consoli- 
dation. 

Sec. 7. The school committee of any town may, subject to School com- 

. . ' mittee may 

the approval of the commissioner of public schools, consolidate consoudate 

schools, when, 

any schools the average number belonging to each of which is ^is^Ma^l'. 
less than twelve, or may unite such school or schools with some 
other school in order to establish a graded school or to secure 



40 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Pub. Laws, 
1306, Mar. 9, 
1906. 



greater efficiency of the schools; and said committee shall have 
authority to provide, in their discretion, transportation for pu- 
pils to and from school. 



CHAPTER 75. 



Of Enabling Towns to Condemn Land for School Purposes. 



Towns may 
take and con- 
demn land for 
school pur- 
poses. 



Condemnation 
proceedings. 



Section 

1. Towns may condemn land for school 

purposes. 

2. Condemnation proceedings. 



Section 

3. Persons aggrieved to claim jury 

trial. 

4. Remedy of person failing to receive 
personal notice. 



Section 1, Any town, from time to time, may take lands 
therein, improved or unimproved, for the location of school- 
houses, the enlargement of school-house lots, and for school pur- 
poses, provided that the amount of the same at any one taking 
shall not exceed one acre. 

Sec. 2. If any town has already passed or shall hereafter 
pass a vote to erect a school-house or to enlarge a school-house 
lot, and the school committee shall fix upon a location for such 
school-house in said town or shall determine that a school-lot 
ought to be enlarged, the said school committee of said town 
shall, within six months from the date of the passage of a resolu- 
tion by said school committee to take any land for such purpose 
or purposes, file in the records of land evidence for said town 
a description of the land, and also a plat thereof, and a state- 
ment that the same is taken pursuant to the provisions of this 
chapter, which description and statement shall be signed by the 
chairman or president of the said school committee, and upon the 
filing of such description, statement, and plat, the title in fee- 
simple of such land shall vest in said town; and after the filing 
of such description, statement, and plat, notice of the taking of 
such land shall be served upon the owners of and persons having 



TO COXDEMX LAND FOE SCHOOL PURPOSES. 41 

an estate in and interested in such land b\' the town sergeant of 
said town leaving a true and attested copy of such description 
and statement with each of such persons personally, or at their 
last and usual place of abode in this state with some person lining 
there, and. in case any of such persons are abseni from this state 
and have no last and usual place of abode therein occupied by 
any person, or in case the whereabouts of any of such persons 
are unknown to said town sergeant, such copy shall be left with 
the persons, if any, in charge of or having possession of such 
land taken of such absent person and persons whose whereabouts 
are unknown, and another copy thereof shall be mailed to the 
address of such absent persons if the same is known to said 
officer: and after the filing of such description and statement, 
the town clerk of said town shall cause a copy of such description 
and statement to be published in some newspaper published in 
the county in which said town is located at least twice a week 
for three successive weeks: and if any party shall agree T^-ith said 
school committee for the price of the land so taken, the same 
shall be paid to him forthwith by said town. 

Sec. 3. Any owner of or person entitled to any estate in or Any pereoa a?- 

grieved at 

interested in anv part of the land so taken, who cannot agree award of dam- 

ages may claim 

with said school committee for the price of the land so taken in ^"^ *"*^- 
which he is interested as aforesaid, may. within three months 
after personal notice of said taking, or, if he have no personal 
notice, may, within one year from the filing of the description, 
statement, and plat referred to in section two of this chapter, 
apply by petition to the superior court held for the county where 
said land is located, setting forth the taking of his land and 
prating for an assessment of damages by a jury. Upon the filing 
of said petition the said court shall cause twenty days' notice of 
the pendency thereof to be given to said town by se^^ing the 
town treasurer of said town ^\T.th a certified copy thereof, and 
may proceed after such notice to the trial thereof: and such trial 
shall determine all questions of fact relating to the value of 



42 



LAWS EELATING TO EDUCATION. 



such land and the amount thereof; and shall be conducted in 
every respect as other civil cases are tried, including the right 
to except to rulings and apply for new trial for cause. In case 
of conflicting claims to such land by any two or more petitioners, 
said court may set down the petitions of such petitioners for 
trial at the same time by the same jury, and may frame all 
necessary issues for the trial thereof. 
Remedy of Sec. 4. In casc any owner of or person having an estate in or 

person failing 

sonaTnlrtlce of interested in such land shall fail to receive personal notice of the 
his land!^^ ° taking of such land, and shall fail to file his petition as provided 
in section three of this chapter, said court in its discretion may 
permit the filing of such petition subsequent to said period of 
one year from the filing of such description and statement : 
Provided, such person shall have had no actual knowledge of 
the taking of such land in season to file such petition; and 'pro- 
vided, said town, after the filing of such description and state- 
ment, shall not have paid any other persons claiming to own 
such land the price or value of the same, or be liable to pay for 
the same under any judgment rendered against said town under 
the provisions of this chapter. 



Gen. Laws. 
1896, Ch. 66. 
17 R. I. 815. 



CHAPTER 76. 



0/ the Rhode Island College of Agricidture and Mechanic Arts.*" 



Section 

1. Continued a body corporate for 

what purposes. 

2. Location. To have moneys re- 

ceived from the United States. 

3. Board of managers; term of office, 

vacancies, and residence. 



Sectilon 

4. Officers of the board. 

5. Duties of officers and teachers. 

6. May summon witnesses. 

7. Expenses of members of board. 



R. I. College SECTION 1. The present board of managers of the Rhode 

of Agriculture 

and Mechanic Island Collese of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, and their 

Arts, is to con- ^ " 

cJTrportt^e"'^^ successors, for the terms for which they have been or for which 

* Name changed to Rhode Island College in 1909. 



Leading object. 



COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC' ARTS. 43- 

they hereafter may be appointed or elected as such managers, 
shall continue to be a body politic and corporate for the purpose 
of continuing and maintaining said college corporation as a 
college where the leading object shall be, without excluding 
other scientific and classical studies, and including military 
tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to 
agriculture and the mechanic arts, in order to promote the 
liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the 
several pursuits and professions of life, as provided in the act of 
the Congress of the United States approved July two, eighteen 
hundred sixty-two, entitled "An act donating public lands to 
the several states and territories which may provide colleges 
for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts," and for 
the purpose of continuing and maintaining an agricultural ex- 
periment-station as a department of said college under and in station, 
accordance with, and to carry out the purposes of, the act of 
Congress approved March two, eighteen hundred eighty-seven, 
entitled "An act to establish agricultural experiment-stations 
in connection with the colleges established in the several states 
under the provisions of an act approved July two, eighteen 
hundred sixty-two, and of the acts supplementary thereto," . 

by the said name of "Rhode Island College of Agriculture and ;. 

Mechanic Arts," with all the powers and privileges, and subject 
to all the duties and liabilities set forth in chapter two hundred 
thirteen. (See Chap. 417, Pub. Laws.) 

Sec 2. Said college and experiment-station shall, until Pub. Law.s. 

1353. April 20, 

otherwise ordered, contmue to be located in the town of South i906. 
Kingstown upon the estate now occupied b}" them, and all 
moneys hereafter received under said act of Congress, approved 
March two, eighteen hundred eighty-seven, and under the act of 
'Congress approved August thirty, eighteen hundred ninety, 
entitled "An act to apply a portion of the proceeds of the public 
lands to the more complete endowment and support of the col- 
lege for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts, es- 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



To have money 
received from 

U. S. 



AiiBual appro- 
priation. 



Term of office 
and appoint- . 
ment of man- 
agers. 
Pub. Laws, 
809, Jan. 29, 
3901. 



tablished under the provisions of an act of Congress approved 
July two, eighteen hundred sixty-two/' and all other moneys 
which shall be received by the state for the promotion of agri- 
culture or the mechanic arts under or by virtue of an act of 
Congress shall, as and when received, be paid over to the treas- 
urer for the time being of said college corporation, to be used 
and applied and accounted for by the managers and officers 
of said corporation for the time being, as required by the re- 
spective acts of Congress under which the same are received, and 
the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars is hereby annually ap- 
propriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of said 
college corporation, the same to be expended under the direc- 
tion of the managers and officers of said corporation for the 
time being. And the managers and officers of said corporation 
shall perform all the duties and make and publish, distribute and 
render all bulletins and reports required by said acts of Congress 
or by any acts in amendment thereof or supplementary thereto ; 
and shall also report to the general assembly annually at it& 
January session. 

Sec. 3. The board of managers of said college corporation 
shall consist of five members. The members of said board now 
in office shall continue to hold their offices until the expiration 
of the terms for which they were respectively appointed. At 
the January session of the general assembly in each year the 
governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall ap- 
point one member of said board to succeed the member whose 
term will next expire; and the member so appointed shall hold 
his office until the first day of February in the fifth year after 
his appointment. Any vacancy which may occur in said board 
when the senate is not in session shall be filled by the governor 
until the next session thereof, when he shall, with the advice and 
consent of the senate, appoint some person to fill such vacancy 
for the remainder of the term. Every future member of said 
board shall be a domiciled inhabitant of the same county as was 



COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC ARTS. 45 

the retiring member of the board whose place he is appointed to 

fill. (See Chap. 383, Pub. Laws.) 

Sec. 4. Said board of managers shall annually elect one of Board of mana- 
gers, officers of. 
their own number to be president of the board, who shall also 

be the president of the corporation and shall continue in office 

until his successor is elected. They shall also from time to time 

appoint a treasurer and a clerk, who shall also be officers of the 

corporation, and who maj^ be, but need not necessarily be, the 

same person or members of the board, and who shall hold their 

respective offices at the pleasure of the board. The treasurer 

before entering upon his office shall give bond to the state for give b'ond.*'° 

the faithful discharge of his duties, in form to be approved by 

the attorney-general, in a penal sum to be fixed by the said 

board of managers and with surety or sureties to be approved by 

the governor; such bond to be filed and to be kept on file in the 

office of the secretar}^ of state, and which bond shall be renewed 

whenever required by the board of managers or by the governor. 

And the treasurer shall make a full detailed report annually 

to the general assembly, at its January session, of all his receipts 

and expenditures, properly audited by the board of managers 

or a committee thereof. 

Sec. 5. Said board of managers shall have the general care Managers to 
and management of said estate in South Kingstown and of said sors, make 

rules, and ap- 

college and experiment station, and may employ professors, point a faculty, 
teachers and other persons in and about the same and prescribe 
their duties and fix their compensation, and from time to time 
make rules and regulations for their government; and may also 
make by-laws, rules, and regulations to govern their own meet- 
ings and proceedings. Said board of managers shall from time 

Faculty to 

to time appoint the faculty of said college; and such faculty shall coureeL^of 
from time to time arrange the courses of study, conforming to awarTdegrli^ 

•1 !• r-i •i-iiii' T •! ^^^ diplomas. 

said acts oi Congress m this behalf, and prescribe such qualifica- 
tions for admission of students, and such rules of stud}^, exercise, 
discipline, and government, as they shall deem proper; they 



Treasurer to 
make an annua! 
report. 



46 



L-AWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



May summon 
witnesses, com- 
pel attendance, 
and administer 
oaths. 
Pub. Laws, 
958, Mar. 21, 
1902. 

Expenses of 
members of 
board to be al- 
lowed. 
Pub. Laws, 
1352, April 20, 
1906. 



may also grant academical degrees and diplomas appropriate to 
the courses of study to those students of good moral character 
who shall have pursued the prescribed courses and passed satis- 
factory examinations. 

Sec. 6. The board of managers of the Rhode Island College 
of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts are hereby empowered, when- 
ever in their discretion the circumstances may require, to sum- 
mon witnesses, compel attendance, and administer oaths. 

Sec. 7. All necessary expenses incurred by each member of 
the board of managers of the Rhode Island College of Agriculture 
and Mechanic Arts in the discharge of his duties shall be paid 
from the funds of the state, upon the presentation of proper 
vouchers for the same approved by the governor. 



'Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 67 



CHAPTER 77. 
Of State Beneficiaries at the Rhode Island School of Design. 



Section 

1. Appropriation for. 

2. Annual report. 

3. Ex-officio directors. 



Sectiox 

4, 5. State beneficiaries, and how ap- 
pointed. 
6. Tuition fees, how paid. 



Appropriation 
for the R. I. 
School of De- 
sign, how paid; 
powers of 
board of edu- 
cation. 



Annual report. 



Ex-officio di- 
rectors. 



Section 1. Such sums as shall be from time to time appro- 
priated by the general assembly to the Rhode Island School of 
Design, shall be paid by the general treasurer upon the orders of 
the state board of education, who are hereby empowered and 
authorized to visit and examine said school at their pleasure. 

Sec. 2. The directors of the above named school of design 
shall make an annual report to the state board of education in 
manner and form prescribed by said board of education. 

Sec. 3. The state board of education are hereby authorized 
and empowered to elect two of their number who, by virtue of 
said election, shall be members of the board of directors of said 
school of design. . • 



FACTORY INSPECTION. 47 

Sec. 4. The state board of education are hereby authorized Appointment 

'' oi state bene- 

to appoint as state beneficiaries at the Rhode Island School of R"i"|chooi'^of 
Design, persons of proper age, character and acquirements, who 
have not the means of defraying the expenses of instruction in 
said school themselves. 

Sec. 5. The secretary of the board of education shall receive Appointments, 

how to be made. 

and file in their order the applications of all persons who desire 
to receive such appointment; and in making their appoint- 
ments the board shall, as far as practicable, make them so that 
the people of the several counties may participate in the ad- 
vantages as nearly as possible in proportion to the respective 
populations of the counties according to the last United States 
census. 

Sec. 6. For the purposes of this chapter the sum of eight Appropriation 

for tuition fees. 

thousand dollars or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby Pub. Laws 

•^ ^ 1445, April 19, 

annually appropriated from any money in the treasury not 
otherwise appropriated, to be paid by the general treasurer 
upon the order of the state auditor upon the presentation of 
proper vouchers approved by the board of education. 



1907. 



CHAPTER 78 Gen. Laws, 

yjriArXIhSX /O. 1896, Ch. 68. 



Of Factory Inspection. 



Section 

1. ChUdren under fourteen years of 

age, not to be employed, where. 

2. Penalty for employing child. 

3. Factory inspectors, how appointed. 

4. Expenses. 

5. Hoisting-shafts, etc., to be inclosed. 

6. Minor under sixteen not to clean ma- 



Section 

10. Appeal from order of inspectors. 

11. Factory inspectors to have office. 

12. Penalties. 

13. Printed copies of this chapter to be 

posted, where. 

14. Inspectors not required to give 

surety for costs. 



chinery. i 15. Factory inspectors, additional du- 

7. Accidents reported, when. ! ties of. 



Separate dressing-rooms to be pro- 
vided for women. 



16. Fresh drinking-water to be supplied 
to employees. 



Duties of inspectors. I 17. Penalty. 



48 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Children under 
14 years of age, 
not to be em- 
ployed, where. 
Pub. Laws, 
1215, Mar 9, 
1905. 



No child under 
16 years of age 
to be allowed to 
work between 
the hours of 8 
P. M. and 6 
A. M., where. 

Exceptions. 



No chlid under 
16 years of age 
to be employed 
unless a certifi- 
cate is pre- 
sented by such 
child from the 
school commit- 
tee. 

Certificate, 
what to con- 
tain. 



Certificates to 
be kept by em- 
ployer, and 
shall be shown 
to factory in- 
spectors on de- 
mand. 



Penalty for re- 
fusal to show 
any such certi- 
ficate. 



Section 1. No child under fourteen years of age shall be 
employed or permitted or suffered to work in any factory, manu- 
facturing or business establishment within this state, and no 
child under sixteen years of age shall be employed or permitted 
or suffered to work in any factory or manufacturing or business 
establishment within this state between the hours of eight 
o'clock in the afternoon of any day and six o'clock in the fore- 
noon of the following day: Provided, hoivever, that this restric- 
tion as to hours of work shall not apply to mercantile estab- 
lishments on Saturdays, or on either of the four days immedi- 
atel}^ preceding Christmas in each year. No child under sixteen 
years of age shall be employed or permitted or suffered to work 
in any factory or manufacturing or business establishment unless 
said child shall present to the person or corporation employing 
him or her a certificate, given by or under the direction of the 
school committee of the city or town in which said child resides, 
certifying that said child has completed fourteen years of age, 
and stating the name, date and place of birth of such child, 
which facts shall be substantiated by a duly attested copy of 
birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or passport, stating also 
the name and place of residence of the person having control of 
such child. All certificates required by this chapter relating to 
the qualification of children employed in any factory or manu- 
facturing or business establishment coming under the provisions 
of this chapter shall be kept by the employer at the place where 
such child is employed, and shall be shown to the factoiy in- 
spectors provided for in this chapter, or either or any of them, 
on demand by said inspector or inspectors; and the proprietor 
or manager of any such factory or manufacturing or business 
establishment who shall refuse to show to any factory inspector 
any such certificate when demand is made therefor shall be 
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, be punished 
by a fine of not less than ten dollars nor more than fifty dollars. 
When any child employed under the provisions of this section 



FACTORY INSPECTION. 49 

leaves his employment, the person or corporation by whom such Certificate to 

^ " ' ^ -^ "^ be surrendered 

child has been employed shall, on demand by said child, deliver ter^natX* of 

to him (or her) the certificate on the authority of which such ^^^ oy^en . 

child has been employed or, if such certificate is not demanded fl'^'^rto *° 

by said child, shall within two weeks after said child has left the feSrwheT™'*' 

employment of said person or corporation send said certificate 

to the school committee which issued it, or such person as the 

school committee may designate. The school committee of each g^py of certi- 

, 111 • , , 1 • , , ficates to be on 

town, or such person as the school committee may designate to file with school 

committee. 

issue the certificates provided for in this section, shall keep on 
file a copy of each certificate granted, together with the evidence 
of the date of birth on the basis of which such certificate is 
granted. The certificates provided for in this section shall be 
uniform throughout the state and in the following form or such 
substantially similar form as may be approved by the secretary 
of the state board of education. The person authorized to issue 
such certificate may administer the oath required by such cer- 
tificate. 

AGE AND SCHOOLING CERTIFICATE, ^^^^ of ^^J.^^ 

ficate. 

This certifies that I am the (father, mother, guardian, or 
custodian) of (name of child) and that (he 

or she) was born at (name of town or city) ' in 

the county (name of count}', if known) _ and 

state (or country) of on the (day and year of 

birth) and is now (number of years and months) 

old. 

Signature of (father, mother, guardian, or custodian.) 
* (Town or city and date.) 

There personally appeared before me the above-named 
(name of person signing) , and made oath that the 

foregoing certificate by (him or her) signed is true to the best of 
(his or her) knowledge and belief. I hereby approve the fore- 
going certificate of (name of child) height (feet and 



50 



LAWS KELATING TO EDUCATION. 



P<iiiix\ly for 

chid ui»d<ji' 16 
years of age. 
rub. Liiw.s, 
1458, April 23, 
1907. 



/Exceptions, 



Factory in- 
eipectorei, liow 
appoi))(e<J aud 

term of. 



lii(:\n-Hj (;\(;r: fcolor) complexion (fair or 

dark) liair (color) having ntj «uffici(3nt reason to 

doubt that (he or ghe) is of tlie age therein certified, and is 
apparently in sound health and physically able to perform the 
work which (he or she) intends to do. 

This certificate belongs to (name of child in whose behalf it is 
drawn), and is to be surrendered to (him or her) 

whenever (he or she) leaves the service of the corporation or 
employer holding the same; but if not claimed by said child 
within two weeks from such time it shall be returned to the 
school coniinittoc or such perscjn as such cornrniti(M! may desijr- 
nate. 

(Signature of person authorized to approve and sign, with 
official character or authority.) 

(Town or city, and date.) 

Sec. 2. Every person, firm, or corporation doing business 
within this state employing five or more persons, or employing 
any child under sixteen years of age, shall be subject to the pro- 
visions of this chapter, whatever shall be the business conducted 
by said person, firm, or corporation: Provided, however, that 
the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to children em- 
ployed in household service or in agricultural pursuits; and pro- 
vided, further, that said provisions shall not apply to the employ- 
nxent of children in the vocation, occupation, or service of rope 
or wire-walking, or as gymnasts, wrestlers, contortionists, eques- 
trian performers, or acrobats, riders upon bycicles or mechani- 
cal contrivances, or in any dancing, theatri(;al, or musical ex- 
hibition, but the employment of children in any vocation, occu- 
pation, or service enumerated in this proviso shall continue to be 
governed by the provisions of the General Laws, chapter one 
hundred thirty-nine. 

Sec. 3. The governor shall, in lh<' .y<'ar nineteen hundred 
eleven, and in the month of January of every third year here- 
after, appoint, with the advi«'«- ;iri<l consi'tit of I he senate, one chief 



FACTORY INSPECTION. 51 

and two assistant factory inspectors, one of whom shall be a wo- 
man, whose term of office shall be three years and until their suc- 
cessors shall be so appointed and qualified. Any vacancy which Vacancies, how 

filled. 

may occur in said offices when the senate is not in session shall 
be filled by the governor until the next session thereof, when he 
shall, with the advice and consent of the senate, appoint some 
person to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the term. Said ^ . 

'■ -^ Duties of. 

inspector shall be empowered to visit and inspect at all reason- ^215, ^^£[^^'9, 
able hours and as often as practicable the factories, workshops, 
and other establishments in this state subject to the provisions of 
this chapter, and shall report to the general assembly of this 
state at its January session in each year, including in said reports 
the name of the factories, the number of such hands employed, 
and the number of hours of work performed in each week. It 
shall also be the duty of said inspectors to enforce the provisions 
of this chapter and prosecute all violations of the same before 
any court of competent jurisdiction in the state. The name and 
residence of any child found working without the certificate pro- 
vided for in section one of this chapter shall be reported by the 
chief factory inspector to the school committee in the city or 
town where such child resides. Said inspectors shall devote their 
w-hole time and attention to the duties of their respective offices, 
under the direction of the chief inspector. The annual salary Salary of. 
of the chief inspector shall be two thousand dollars, and each of 
the assistant inspectors fifteen hundred dollars. 

Sec. 4. All necessary expenses incurred by such inspectors Expenses. 

Pub. Laws, 

the discharge of their duty shall be paid from the funds of the 1215, Mar. 9, 

° -^ ^ 1905. 

state, upon the presentation of proper vouchers for the same 
approved by the governor: Provided, that not more than two 
thousand dollars in the aggregate shall be expended by the said 
inspectors in an}^ one year. 

Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the owner, agent or lessee of Hoisting- 

•^ ' *= shafts antl well- 

any such factory, manufacturing or mercantile establishment, properiy^n- 

where hoisting-shafts or well-holes are used, to cause the same *'°^^ " 



52 



LA^YS EELATIXG TO EDUCATIOX. 



Minor under 
sixteen j'ears 
of age is not to 
clean machin- 
ery, while in 
motion. Belt- 
ing and gearing 
to be guarded. 
21 R. I. 551. 

24 R. I. 594. 

25 R. I. 513. 
25 R. I. 649. 

Accidents to be 
reported, with- 
in what time. 



Water closets 
and separate 
d ressin g-rooms 
to be provided 
for women 
and girls. 
25 R. I. 187. 



to be properly and substantially inclosed or secured if, in the 
opinion of the inspectors, it is necessary to protect the life or 
limbs of those employed in such establishments. It shall be the 
duty of the owners, agent or lessee to provide or to cause to be 
provided such proper trap or automatic doors, so fastened in or 
at all elevator-ways as to form substantial surfaces when closed, 
and so constructed as to open and close by action of the elevator 
in its passage either ascending or descending, if so directed by 
said factory inspectors or either one of them. 

Sec. 6. No minor under sixteen years of age shall be allowed 
to clean machinery while in motion, unless the same is necessary 
and is approved by said inspectors as not dangerous. All 
belting and gearing shall be provided with proper safeguard. 

Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the owners or superintendent 
to report in writing to the factory inspectors all fatal accidents 
within forty-eight hours after their occurrence; and all accidents 
which prevent the injured person or persons from returning to 
work within two weeks after the injuiy shall, within one week 
after the expiration of such two weeks, be reported in writing 
by the person in charge of such establishment or place to the 
said inspectors, stating as full}' as possible the cause of such 
accidents. 

Sec. 8. Water-closets, earth-closets or privies shall be pro- 
vided in all places where women and children are employed, in 
such manner as shall, in the judgment of said inspectors, meet 
the demands of health and propriety. Separate dressing-rooms 
for women and girls shall be provided in all establishments where 
such are deemed a necessity by said factory inspectors; and in 
every manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile establishment 
in which women and girls are employed, there shall be provided, 
conveniently located, seats for such women and girls, and they 
shall be permitted to use them when their duties do not require 
their standing. 



FACTORY IXSPECTIOX. 53 

Sec. 9. If the factory inspectors, or either one of them, find Duciea of in- 

spectora. 

that the heating, lighting, ventilation or sanitary arrangement 
of any shop or factory is such as to be injurious to the health of 
the persons employed therein, or that the means of egress in 
case of fire or other disaster is not sufficient, or in accordance 
with all the requirements of law, or that the belting, shafting, 
gearing, elevators, drums and machinery in shops and factories 
are located to as to be dangerous to employees, and not suffi- 
ciently guarded, or that the vats, pans or structures filled with 
molten metal or hot liquid are not surrounded with proper safe- 
guard for preventing accident or injury to those employed at or 
near them, either or both shall notify the proprietor of such 
factory or workshop to make the alterations or additions neces- 
sary within ninety days; and if such alterations or additions are 
not made within ninety clays from the clay of such notice, or 
within such time as such alterations can be made with proper 
diligence upon the part of said proprietors, said proprietors or 
agents shall be deemed guilty of violating the provisions of this 
chapter, subject, however, to the right of appeal as hereinafter 
provided. 

Sec. 10. Any person who is aggrieved by an}- order of said Appeal from 

^^ .. ^ order of fac- 

inspectors may appeal therefrom to the district court of the to^ijfri^r'*'"" 
judicial district in which the building which is the subject of the a^RA., sec. 
order is situated, by filing his reasons of appeal within seven days 
after the date of the order appealed from, and by giving notice 
thereof to the inspector who made the order within forty-eight 
hours after filing said reasons of appeal; and said court shall 
proceed to hear the said appeal at its first session after such 
notice shall have been given, and shall approve, modify, or 
revoke said order as it may deem right, subject, however, to 
the right of a jury trial after decision as prescribed for the claim- 
ing of a jury trial in civil actions. And any such decision of said 
court from which a jury trial is not claimed shall be final and 
conclusive. 



54 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Factory in- 
spectors to 
have an office. 



May adminis- 
ter oaths. 



Penalty for tlie 
violation of the 
provisions of 
this chapter. 
Pub. Laws, 
1215, Mar. 9, 
1905. 



Printed copies 
of this chapter, 
to be posted, 
where. 



Inspectors aro 
not required to 
give recog- 
nizance for 
costs. 



Factory in- 
ispectors; ad- 
ditional duties 
and powers of. 
Pub. Laws, 
708, Sept. 20, 
1S99. 



Fresh drink- 
ing-water to bo 
supplied to eni- 
liloyees of cor- 
porations, 
Hrms, etc. 



Sec. 11. The state shall provide a suitable office for the use 
of said factory inspectors; and said factory inspectors shall 
have the power to administer oaths or affirmations in cases where 
persons desire to verify documents connected with the proper 
enforcement of this chapter. 

Sec. 12. Any person or corporation who employs a child 
under sixteen years of age without the certificate required by 
section one of this chapter, or who makes a false statement in 
regard to any part required by such certificate or who violates. 
any of the provisions of this chapter, or who suffers or permits- 
any child or woman to be employed in violation of its provisions,, 
shall be deemed guilt}^ of a misdemeanor and, on conviction,, 
shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dol- 
lars: Provided, however, that this section shall not apply to that 
portion of section one of this chapter which fixes the penalty 
for the refusal to show to the inspector any certificate provided 
for in that section. 

Sec. 13. A printed copy of this chapter shall be posted by 
the inspectors in each workroom of every factory, manufactur- 
ing or mercantile establishment where persons are employed 
who are affected by the provisions of this chapter. 

Sec. 14. The inspectors created by section three of this 
chapter shall not be required to give surety nor personal recogni- 
zance for costs. 

Sec. 15. The factory inspectors shall, in addition to their 
duties otherwise provided, enforce the provisions of section 
twenty-two, chapter two hundred forty-nine and may prosecute 
all violations of the same before any court of competent juris- 
diction in the state. 

Sec. 16. All manufacturing establishments in this state 
shall provide fresh drinking-water, of good quality, to which 
their employees shall have access during working hours. 

Sec. 17. Any corporation, association, firm or person owning, 
in whole or in part, managing, controlling, or superintending 



FACTORY IXSPECTIOX. O. 

nnv maniifacturine; establishment in which the provision of the F"li- 1^.^''^,- . 

^ '^ 1429, April i>. 

preceding section is viohited shall, npon complaint of the board ^■'*'^'" 
of health of the city or town, or the town council of (ho town, in 
which the establishment is located, be liable to a tine of oite iVnaUy. 
hundred dollars for each offence. 



PART III. 



MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS OF THE GENERAL 

LAWS, REVISION OF 1909, RELATING TO 

EDUCATION. 



Gen. Laws. 
1896, Ch. 26. 



Rules of con- 
struction, when 
to be applied. 



Genders. 



Numbers. 
24 R. I. 274. 



CHAPTER 32. 

Of the Construction of Statutes. 



Section 

1. Rules of construction, when to be 

applied. 

2. Genders. 

3. Numbers. 

4. Joint authority of three or more, 

authorizes a majority. 
6. "Person." 

6. "Insane person." 

7. "United States." 

8. "Town," "town council," "town 

clerk," "ward clerk," "town 
treasurer," "town sergeant." 

9. "Land" or "lands," "real estate." 



Section 

10. "Oath," "sworn," "engaged." 

11. "Month," "year." 

12. Computation of time. 

13. "Justice of the peace," "district 

court." 

14. "Seal." 

15. Acts of incorporation are public 

acts for purposes of pleading. 

16. Repeal, effect of, in civil cases. 

IS. Repeal not to revive statutes re- 
pealed. 

19. Statutes, when to take effect. 

21. General and special provisions in 
conflict, how construed. 



Section 1. In the construction of statutes the provisions 
of this chapter shall be observed, unless the observance of 
them would lead to a construction inconsistent with the mani- 
fest intent of the general assembly, or be repugnant to some 
other part of the same statute. 

Sec. 2. Everj^ word importing the masculine gender only, 
may be construed to extend to and to include females as well 
as males. 

Sec. 3. Every word importing the singular number only, 
may be construed to extend to and to include the plural number 



CONSTRUCTION OF STATUTES. 57 

also; and every word importing the plural number only, may be 
construed to extend to and to embrace the singular number 
also. 

Sec. 4. All words purporting to give a joint authority to j^j^^ authority 
three or more officers or persons shall be so construed as to give more L au^^ °^ 

, . . . , , thority to the 

such authority to a majority of them. majority. 

Sec. 5. The word ''person" may be construed to extend "Person." 

to and include copartnerships and bodies corporate and politic. 

Sec. 6. The words "insane person" shall be construed to "insane per- 
son." 

include every idiot, person of unsound mind, lunatic and dis- -^ ^- ^- ^^^• 
tracted person. 

Sec. 7. The words ''United States" shall be construed to "United 

States." 

Include the several states and the territories of the United 
States. 

Sec. 8. The word "town " may be construed to include city; "Town." 

•^ ' "Town 

the words "town council," board of aldermen; the words "town -Tv^ncierk " 
clerk," city clerk; the words "ward clerk," clerk of election -t^^ '''®'^^'' 

T • 1 ^ ci ti • treasurer." 

district; the words town treasurer, citv treasurer; and the "Town 

segeant." 

words "town sergeant," city sergeant. 5° ^- J- ^]^- 

Sec. 9. The word "land" or "lands," and the words "real .LL^V^of *^' 

■estate," may be construed to include lands, tenements and - Reai'^estate " 

,. 1 • , , , • 11 R. I. 25S. 

hereditaments, and rights thereto and interests therein. i5 R. i. 3.50. 

Sec. 10. The word "oath" shall be construed to include "Oath," 

"sworn," 

affirmation; the word "sworn," affirmed; and the word "en- "engaged." 
gaged," either sworn or affirmed. 

Sec. 11. The words "month" and "year" shall be con- "Month." 
strued to mean a calendar month and year. 

Sec. 12. Whenever time is to be reckoned from any day, computation 

of time. 

date, or act done, or the tune of any act done, such day, date, ^3 r. i. 42. 
or the day when such act is clone, shall not be included in such -^ ^- ^- ^^■ 
computation. 

Sec 13. The words "justice of the peace" may be con- " justice of the 

peace." 

■strued to include warden of the peace, and the words "dis- 'District 

court." 

trict court" to include warden's court. 



58 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



"Seal." 



Acts of incor- 
poration are 
public acts for 
purposes of 
pleading. 

27 R. I. 37. 

27 R. I. 129. 

Repeal, eflect 
of, in civil 
cases. 

9 R. I. 26. 

n R. I. 166. 

25 R. I. 72. 



Repeal not to 
revive statutes 
repealed. 

Statutes, when 
to take effect. 
12 R. I. 18. 



General and 
special pro- 
visions in con- 
flict, how to be 
construed 



Sec. 14. Whenever a seal is required to be affixed to any 
paper, the word "seal" shall* be construed to include an im- 
pression of such seal made with or without the use of wax or 
wafer on the paper. 

Sec. 15. Every act of incorporation shall be so far deemed 
a public act, that the same may be declared on and givQn in 
evidence, without specially pleading the same. 

Sec. 16. The repeal of any statute shall in no case affect 
any act done, or any right accrued, acquired or established, or 
any suit or proceeding had or commenced in any civil case 
before the time when such repeal shall take effect. 

Sec. 18, The repeal of any statute shall not be construed 
to revive any other statute which has been repealed. 

Sec. 19. Every statute which does not expressly prescribe 
the time when it shall go into operation, shall take effect on 
the tenth day next after the rising of the general assembly at 
the session thereof at which the same shall be passed. 

Sec. 21. Wherever a general provision shall be in conflict 
with a special provision relating to the same or to a similar 
subject, the two provisions shall be construed, if possible, scv 
that effect may be given to both; and in such cases, if effect 
cannot be given to both, the special provision shall prevail and 
shall be construed as an exception to the general provision. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896. Oh. 30. 



CHAPTER 40. 



Of the Permanent School Fund. 



Section 

1. Custody and investment. 

2. Money from auctioneers to be added 

to the fimd. 

3. School money forfeited by towns, to 

be added to the fund. 



Section 

4. Additions, how to be invested. 

5. Income to be appropriated for sup- 

port of public schools. 



PUBLIC RECORDS. 



59 



Section 1. The general treasurer, with the advice of the Custody and 

° ' investment of 

governor, shall have full power to regulate the custody and f^d.'''*°°' 
safe keeping of the fund now constituting the permanent fund 
for the support of public schools, and shall beep the same 
securel}^ invested in the capital stock of some safe and respon- 
sible bank or banks or in bonds of towns or cities within this 
state. 

Sec. 2. The money that shall be paid into the state treasur}^ Money paid to 

» , . . » , . the state by 

bv auctioneers, for duties accruing to the use of the state, is auctioneers to 

" ° be added to the 

appropriated, and the same shall annually be added to said '^'^'^■ 
school fund, for the permanent increase thereof. 

Sec. 3. Whenever any money appropriated to an}- town q^^^^^ money 

from the state treasury, for the support of public schools there- the towns fo be 

added to the 

in, shall have been forfeited by such town, the same shall be fund, 
added to said school fund, and shall forever remain a part 
thereof. 

Sec. 4. The general treasurer, with the advice of the gov- 
ernor, shall from time to time securely invest all sums of money 
herebj' directed to be added to said fund, in the capital stock 
of some safe and responsible bank or banks or in bonds of any 
town or city within this state. 

Sec. 5. The income arising from said fund so invested income to be 

... appropriated 

shall annually be appropriated for the support of public schools for support of 
in the several towns. 



Additions, how- 
to be invested. 



CHAPTER 41. 

Of the Public Records. 



Gen. Laws, 
1S96, Ch. 3i. 



Section 

1. Officers to deliver official records, 
etc., to their successors in office, 
or to secretary of state, when. 
Penalty for neglect. 



Section 

2. Penalty for neglect by other than 
the lawful custodian, to deliver 
official records, etc. 



60 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



OflBcers to de- 
liver official 
records, etc., to 
their successors 
in office, or to 
secretary of 
state, when 



Penalty, for 
neglect, etc., 
without cause. 



Penalty for 
neglect by 
other than law- 
ful custodian, 
to deliver offi- 
cial records, 
etc. 



Section 1. Every person who shall hold a public office 
shall, upon leaving the same, deliver to his successor in office, 
or, if there be no successor, to the secretary of state, all records,, 
books, writings, letters and documents, kept or received by 
him in the transaction of his official business, and all moneys 
in his hands which he shall have received as trust funds from 
any person or otherwise in the course of his official business; 
and every such person who shall, Avithout just cause, refuse or 
neglect for the space of ten days after request made in writing 
by any citizen of the state, to deliver as herein required such 
records, books, writings, letters or documents, or to pay over 
such moneys, to the person authorized to receive the same, shall 
be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars and be imprisoned 
not exceeding five years. 

Sec. 2. Every person, other than the lawful custodian 
thereof, who shall have in his possession, or under his control,, 
any such record, book, writing, letter or document as is desig- 
nated in section one of this chapter, and who shall, without 
just cause, refuse or neglect for the space of ten days after 
request made in writing by any citizen of the state, to deliver 
such record, book, writing, letter or document to the lawful 
custodian of the same, shall be fined not exceeding five hundred 
dollars and be imprisoned not exceeding five years. 



Gen. Laws. 
1896, Ch. 36. 



CHAPTER 46. 



Of the Powers of, and of Suits by and against, Towns. 



Section 

4. Towns may A'^ote and grant money 

for schools, schoolhouses and 
school libraries. 

5. Towns may establish free public 

libraries. 

6. May appropriate money for the 

maintenance, etc., of such li- 
braries. 



Sectiox 

7. May appropriate money for free 
public library not its own. 

21. Town indebtedness limited to three 

per centum of taxable property. 

22. Town taxes limited to one peF 

centum of ratable property. 



POWERS OF, SUITS BY AND AGAINST, TOWNS. 61 

Section 4. Towns msij, at any legal meeting, grant and Towns may 

^ J ^ o c^! ;r> grant money 

vote such sums of money as they shall judge necessary: — schooih°o°ules, 

AAAA-fc-fc*** f-^^ school 

'^***''^***''' libraries. 

For the support of schools, purchase of sites for and the 

building and repair of school-houses; and for the establishing 

and maintaining of school libraries; 

********* 

Sec. 5. The electors in any town or city qualified to vote J^Jbfish'free 
upon any proposition to impose a tax, or for the expenditure ^"'^''° libraries. 
of money in such town or city, may, by a majority vote of 
such electors voting at the annual meeting for the election of 
town officers, or members of the city council therein, appro- 
priate a sum not exceeding twenty-five cents on each one 
hundred dollars of the ratable property of such city or town 
in the year next preceding such appropriation, for the founda- 
tion therein of a free public library, with or without branches, 
for all the inhabitants thereof, and to provide suitable rooms 
for such library, which shall be used under such regulations as 
may from time to time be prescribed by the town council of 
such town, or city council of such city. 

Sec. 6. Any town or city having established a free pubhc May appro- 

pri3(t6 tor 

library therein, in manner as aforesaid, may annually, by the ^chifwils."^ 
majorit}' vote of the electors of said town, qualified as afore- 
said and voting on the proposition, or by vote of the city 
council of said cit}', appropriate a sum not exceeding thirty 
cents on each one thousand dollars of its ratable property, in the 
3^ear next preceding such appropriation, for the maintenance 
and increase of such library therein, and may take, receive, hold 
and manage any devise, bequest or donation for the establish- 
ment, increase or maintenance of a public library therein, to be 
under such regulations for its government, when they are not 
prescribed by its donor, as may from time to time be prescribed 
by the town council of such town, or the city council of such 
city. 



62 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



May appro- 
priate for free 
public library 
not its own. 



Ijimitation of 
town's in- 
debtedness. 

19 R. L 692. 

20 R. I. 390. 
20 R. I. 179. 



Limitation of 
town taxes. 
Pub. Laws, 
953, Feb. 25, 
1902. 

23 R. I. 115. 

24 R. I. 232. 



Sec. 7. Every town not owning a free public library may, 
at the annual town meeting, appropriate a sum not exceeding 
thirt}^ cents on each one thousand dollars of its ratable property 
in the year next preceding such appropriation, for the main- 
tenance and increase of any free library therein. 

Sec. 21. No town shall, without special statutory au- 
thority therefor, incur any debt in excess of three per centum 
of the taxable property of such town, including the indebted- 
ness of such town on the tenth day of April, one thousand eight 
hundred seventy-eight, but the giving of a new note or bond for 
a pre-existing debt, or for money borrowed and applied to the 
payment of such pre-existing debt, is excepted from the pro- 
visions of this section, and the amount of any sinking fund shall 
be deducted in computing such indebtdeness. 

Sec. 22. No town shall assess its ratable property in any 
one year in excess of one and one-half per centum of its ratable 
value, except for the purpose of paying the indebtedness of such 
town or the interest thereon, or for appropriations to any of the 
sinking funds, or for extraordinary repairs for damages caused 
by the elements; but assessments for specific benefits conferred 
by the opening or improving of any public highway, or for any 
public sewer, shall not be taken to be within the provisions of 
this section. 



Gen. Laws, 
1S96, Ch. 43. 



CHAPTER 53. 



Of the Establishment and Control of Free Public Libraries by 

Towns. 



Section 

1. Town or city council may accept 

gift of public library, or funds 
for. 

2. Town or city council to elect trus- 

tees, and may fill vacancies. 



Section" 

3. Duties and powers of trustees. 

4. Appropriation for support of library 

to be made annually. 

5. Trustees to accept and receipt for 

legacies. 



TOWN LIBRARIES. 63 

Section 1. In case anv library, or funds for the establish- Town or city 

^ ■ . JJ council may 

ment thereof, may be offered to any city or town on the con- p^blfc ifbrary 
dition that said library shall be maintained as a free public 
library, the city council of any city, or town council of any 
town, is hereby authorized to accept such gift in behalf of the 
city or town. 

Sec. 2. Whenever anv city or town shall establish a free Town or city 

council to 

public library, or shall become possessed, as above provided, elect tmstees. 

of any such library, the aforesaid city council or town council, 

as the case may be, shall proceed to elect a board of trustees, 

to consist of not less than three members nor more than seven. 

As soon as possible after the election of the first board the mem- trustees! ° 

bers thereof shall meet and be divided by lot into three groups or 

classes, the terms of office of one group expiring in one year from 

the date of their election, those of another group in two years, 

and those of the remaining group in three vears. With the yacancies, 

'^ <^ i- - how filled. 

expiration of the term of office of any member the vacancy shall 
be filled by the city council or town council, as the case may be, 
for the term of three years. Vacancies occurring by resignation, 
removal, death, or otherwise, shall be filled as above for the un- 
expired term thereof. 

Sec. 3. The aforesaid trustees shall take possession of said Trustees to 

provide for 

library, and shall thereafter be the legal guardians and custo- care of library. 
dians of the same. They shall provide suitable rooms for the 
library, arrange for the p/oper care of the same, choose one or 
more competent persons as hbrarians and fix their compensa- 
tion, and make all needful rules and regulations for the govern- 
ment of the library and the use of the books: Provided, that no 
fee for the use of the books shall ever be exacted, 

Sec. 4. Each city or town acting under this chapter shall Appropriation 

for, by town. 

annually appropriate for the support of the public library an 
amount at least as much as that which the library shall receive 
from the state. All appropriations from the city or town and confroffuads. 
state, and the income of all funds belonging to the library, shall 



64 



LAWS EiXATIXG TO EDUCATIOX 



Trustees to ac- 
cept ajad re- 
ceipt iCH- lega- 
ci^. 



be subject to the exclusive control of the trustees, and the 
several city and town treasurers shall pay. within the limits of 
the appropriations and other library funds in their hands, all 
bills properly certified by the said trustees. 

Sec. 5. In case of any bequest, legacy, or gift to, or in favor 
of, a public library, the trustees thereof are hereby authorized 
and empowered to accept the same in behaK of, and for the use 
of 5 the library, and their receipt shall be a full and sufficient dis- 
charge and release to any executor, administrator, or other 
person authorized to make the payment thereof. 



Gen. La-ws, 
1S96, Ch.44. 



AD property is 
liable, nnkss 
exempted. 
Pub. Laws, 
1246, May 11, 
1903. 
2B-I.439. 

5 E- 1. 15. 
11R.L321. 
12 a. L 435. 
15 B- I. 159. 

Property ex- 
einpt nxHn tax- 
ation. 
Pnb. Laws. 
844. Mar. 2S, 
1901. 

6 B- I. 235. 

8 B. I. 474. 

9 B. I. 559. 
12 B. I. 19. 
14 B. I. 307. 
19 B. L 710. 
21 B. 1.34. 
24 B. I. 87. 

Scbotdpiop- 
erty. 



CHAPTER 56. 
Of Property Liable to, and Exempt from. Taxation. 



Ecnox 
1. Pnqjeity liable to taxaticKi. 



2. Proi>env exemDt from taxation. 



Sectiox 1. All real property in the state, and all personal 
property belonging to the inhabitants thereof, whether individ- 
uals, copartnerships, or corporations, and aU tangible personal 
property located in the state belonging to non-residents, shall 
be liable to taxation unless otherwise specially provided. 

Sec. 2. The following property and no other, shall be ex- 
empt from taxation: Property belonging to the state; lands 
ceded or belonging to the United States; buildings for free 
public schools; buildings for religious worship and the land upon 
which they stand and immediately surrounding the same, to an 
extent not exceeding one acre, so far as said buildings and land 
are occupied and used exclusively for religious or educational 
purposes; the buildings and personal estate owned by any cor- 
poration used for a school, academy or seminary of learning, and 
of any incorporated public charitable institution, and the land 
upon which said buildings stand and immediately surrounding 
the same, to an extent not exceeding one acre, so far as the same 



ASSESSING AND COLLECTIXG POLL TAXES. 65 

is used exclusively for educational purposes, but no property or 

estate whatever shall hereafter be exempt from taxation, in any 
case where any part of the income or profits thereof or of the 
business carried on thereon is diAided among its owners or 
stockholders; the estates, persons, and families of the president 
and professors, for the time being, of Brown University, for 
not more than ten thousand dollar for each such officer, his 
estate, person, and family included: property specially exempt 
by charter unless such exemption shall have been waived in 
whole or in part : lots of land used exclusively for burial grounds; 
the propeit}',. real and personal, held for or by any incorporated 
library, society, or any free public libraiy, or any free public 
library society, so far as said property shall be held exclusively 
for library purposes, or for the aid or support of the aged poor, 
or for the aid or support of poor friendless children, or for the 
aid or support of the poor generally: or for a hospital for the 
sick or disabled; and any fund given or held for the purpose of 
public education: almshouses and the land and buildings used 
in connection therewith: the real and personal estate of any 
incorporated volunteer fii-e-engine company in active ser^-ice; 
the estate of any person who in the judgment of the assessors 
is unable from infirmity or poverty to pay the tax: the bonds 
and other securities issued and exempted from taxation by the 
government of the United States. 



CHAPTER .59. ^^^^^ 

1S96, Ch. 47. 

Of Assessing and Collecting Poll-Taxes. 

3. Tax to be applied ro public schools, 

Sectiox 3. The assessors of taxes on completing the assess- coUection of 

T . , . , poll-tax. 

ment ot taxes as prescribed m this chapter, shall date and 21 R. i. 5S2. 
sign, and within three days thereafter deposit the same in the 
office of the town clerk, except in the city of Pro^Tdence, and in 



66 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Tax to be ap- 
plied to public 
schools. 



the city of Providence deposit the same with the city treasurer 
thereof. The town clerk shall forthwith make a copy of the 
same and deliver it to the town treasurer, and the town treasurer 
shall forthwith issue and affix to said copy a warrant under 
his hand, and which need not be under seal, directed to the 
collector of taxes of the town commanding him to proceed and 
collect the several sums of money therein expressed, of the per- 
sons liable therefor, by the time directed by the town, and to 
pay over the same to him or to his successor in office. Whenever 
any town shall elect its town treasurer collector of taxes for 
such town, such warrant shall be issued to the town treasurer 
as collector of taxes by the town clerk. The tax assessed ac- 
cording to the provisions of this chapter, shall be applied to the 
support of the public schools in such town or city. 



>Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 85. 



CHAPTER 100. 



Of Provision for the Education of Deaf, Blind and Imbecile 

Children. 



Deaf, blind, 
imbecile chil- 
dren as state 
beneficiaries. 
Pub. Laws, 
322, April 29, 
1896. 



Section 

1. State beneficiaries. 

2. Supervision, and annual report. 



Section 

3. Clothing, how furnished. 

4. Bills, how approved and paid. 



Section 1. The governor, on recommendation of the state 
board of education, upon apphcation of the parent or guar- 
dian, may appoint any deaf, blind or imbecile child, being a 
legal resident of this state, who shall appear to said board to be 
a fit subject for education, as a state beneficiary at any suitable 
institution or school now established, or that may be estab- 
lished, either within or without the state, for such period as he 
may determine, within the limit of ten years: Provided, that 
he may, upon the special recommendation of the state board of 
education, extend the period and that he shall have the power 
to revoke any appointment at any time for cause. 



RHODE ISLAND INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF. 



67 



supervision. 



Annual report. 



Sec. 2. The board of education are hereby clothed with the Board of educa- 

•^ tion to have 

duty and responsibilit}'^ of supervising the education of all such 
beneficiaries, and no child appointed as above shall be with- 
drawn from any institution or school except with their consent, 
or the consent of the governor; and said board shall annually 
report to the general assembly their doings under this chapter, 
with such further information in relaton to the several institu- 
tions at which these beneficiaries have been placed as may be 
deemed desirable. 

Sec. 3. The board of education may expend in the pur- clothing. 
chase of necessary clothing for such beneficiaries a sum not 
exceeding twenty dollars, in any calendar year, for a single child. 

Sec 4. All bills arising under this chapter shall be ex- Annual appro- 

priation for ed- 

amined and approved by the board of education, and the bfkid°and i^-^' 
state auditor is hereby authorized to draw his orders on the Pub.Yaws,'^*^"' 

1048, Dec. 10, 

general treasurer for the payment thereof when properly i902. 
certified by the secretary of the board and approved by the 
governor; and a sum not to exceed seventeen thousand dollars 
or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby annually ap- 
propriated therefor out of any money in the treasury not other- 
wise appropriated. 



CHAPTER 101. 



Of the Rhode Island Institute for the Deaf. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 86. 



Section 

1. Management and control vested in 

trustees. 

2. Trustees, how appointed and term 

of office. 

3. Power of board of trustees to admit. 

4. Who may be admitted. Objects of 

the institute, and how managed. 



bECTIOX 

5. Trustees to report annually to 

general assembly. 

6. Who may attend. 

7. Compulsory attendance. 
S. Certificate. 

9. This chapter not affected by chap- 
ter 63, sections 10, 11 and 12. 



Section 1. The governor and lieutenant-governor, to- 
gether with nine citizens of this state, of whom six shall be 



68 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



R. I. Institute 
for the Deaf to 
be managed 
and controlled 
by trustees. 



Trustees, how 
appointed and 
term of office. 
Pub. Laws, 
809, Jan. 29, 
1901. 



Power of the 
board of 
trustees to 
admit. 

Who may be 
admitted. 



Object of in- 
stitute. 



men and three women, to be appointed as hereinafter pro- 
vided, shall constitute a board of trustees in whom shall be 
vested the management and control of a state institution for 
the instruction and maintenance of deaf children in accord- 
ance with the provisions of this chapter. Such institution shall 
be known as the Rhode Island Institute for the Deaf. 

Sec. 2. At the January session of the general assembly in 
the year A. D, nineteen hundred nine, and in each second year 
thereafter, the governor, with the advice and consent of the 
senate, shall appoint three persons to be members of said board 
to succeed the members then in office whose terms will next 
expire; and the persons so appointed shall hold their offices until 
the first day of February in the sixth year after their appoint- 
ment. Any vacancy which may occur in said board when the 
senate is not in session shall be filled by the governor until the 
next session thereof, when he shall, with the advice and consent 
of the senate, appoint some person to fill such vacancy for the 
remainder of the term. The members of said board shall 
receive no compensation for their services. 

Sec. 3. The board of trustees may admit such persons there- 
in as hereinafter is provided. 

Sec. 4. Deaf persons between the ages of three and twenty 
years, and of sufficient capacity for instruction, who are legal 
residents of the state, shall be entitled to the privilege of the 
school without charge, and for such period of time in each 
individual case as may be deemed expedient by the board of 
trustees; residents of other states may be admitted upon the 
payment of such rates of board and tuition as may be fixed 
b}^ the board of trustees. The primary object of the school 
shall be to furnish to the deaf children of this state, oral instruc- 
tion, and the best known facilities for the enjojanent of such 
a share of the benefits of the system of free public education 
as their afflicted condition will admit of. The board of trustees 
shall have charge of the affairs of the institution, with power to 



RHODE ISLAND INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF. 69 

make such bj'-lawsand regulations for the government thereof 
(not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter) as they 
may deem expedient. They shall elect from their own number Management. 
& president and secretar}^, together with such standing com- 
mittees as they may deem necessary. They shall appoint a 
principal who shall be the chief executive officer of the institu- 
tion, and shall have charge of the educational and internal affairs 
of the institution, and shall also, upon the nomination of the 
principal, appoint teachers and subordinate officers, prescribe 
the duties and terms of service of the same, and fix their salaries, 
-and for just cause remove any or all of them. They shall like- 
wise employ the requisite number of servants and other as- 
sistants, and fix the wages of the same, and shall purchase all 
furniture, school-books, school-apparatus and other supplies 
necessary to the equipment and carrying-on such institution. 

Sec. 5. The board of trustees shall annually in the month Board of trus- 
tees are to re- 
of January make a report to the general assembly, of the po^t annually. 

state and condition of the school, and a statement of all ex- 
penses incurred for salaries, maintenance, tuition and other 
items of current expense, together with an estimate of the 
amount of monej' necessarj^ to meet the current expenses of 
the next year. 

Sec. 6. All children of parents, or under the control of who may at- 

lend R. I. In- 

guardians or other persons, legal residents of this state, between stitute for the 
the ages of three and twenty years, whose hearing or speech, fga'-^f^^ig 
or both, are so defective as to make it inexpedient or imprac- 
ticable to attend the public schools to advantage, not being 
mentally or otherwise incapable, ma}' attend the Rhode Island 
Institute for the Deaf, without charge, under such rules and 

regulations as the board of trustees of said institute may es- 

1 

tablish. 

Sec. 7. Everj^ person having under his control any such compuiaory 

attendance. 

child between the ages of seven and eighteen vears shall cause ^■■^- a., sec. 

'-' ^ ' 1205. 

such child to attend school at said institute for such period of 



70 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Certificate. 
Pub. Laws, 
332, May 13, 
1896. 



This chapter 
is not affected 
by Chap. 63, 
sees. 10, 11 , 
and 12. 



time or such prescribed course, in each individual case, as may 
be deemed expedient by the board of trustees, and for any 
neglect of such duty the person so offending shall be fined not 
exceeding twenty dollars : Provided, that if the person so charged 
shall prove to the satisfaction of said board that the child has. 
received or is receiving, under private or other instruction, an 
education suitable to his condition, in the judgment of said 
board, then such penalty shall not be incurred; 'provided further,. 
that no child shall be removed to said institution or taken from 
the custody of its parent or guardian except as a day scholar, 
unless such parent or guardian is an improper person to have 
such custod}^, and the supreme court shall have jurisdiction in 
habeas corpus proceedings to examine into and revise all find- 
ings of said board of trustees under this chapter. 

Sec. 8. Any child having attended said institute a time or 
course prescribed by said board, upon leaving the institute shall 
be entitled to receive a certificate of his proficiency from said 
board. 

Sec. 9. The provisions of this chapter are not repealed, 
affected or modified by the provisions of sections ten, eleven, and 
twelve of chapter sixty-three. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 87. 



Board of con- 
trol. 



CHAPTER 102. 

Of the State Home and School for Children. 



Sectton 

1-3. Board of control; number, tenn 
of office, and how appointed. 

4. Secretary, duties and term of office. 

5. Compensation to secretary only, 

but travelling expenses to all. 

6. Government of the school. 

7. What children to be received; 

what may be returned, when, to 
authorities. 



Section 

S. Object of school, and duty of the 

board. 
9. Jurisdiction of probate courts. 

10. Board to keep a register of the 

children in the school. 

11. To make annual report to general 

assembly. 



Section. 1 The control and maintenance of the state home 
and school for dependent and neglected children shall con- 



STATE HOME AND SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN. 71 

tinue to be vested in a board of control, to be called the "board 
of control of the state home and school." Said school shall be 
known as the State Home and School for Children. 

Sec. 2. The said board shall consist of seven persons four Number of 

board. 

■of whom shall be men and three women. The terms of office 

Term of office. 

of the members of said board shall begin on the first dav of Pub. Laws, 

809, Jan. 29, 

Februar5^ i9oi. 

Sec. 3. The governor, bv and with the advice and con- Members of 

° ' " how appomted. 

sent of the senate, shall appoint the members of said board o^.t'-T^^^oo 
•other than the secretary. He shall annually at the January ^^°^" 
session of the general assembly so appoint persons to be mem- 
bers of said board to succeed those whose terms will next ex- 
pire; and the persons so appointed shall hold their offices until 
the first day of February in the third 5^ear after their appoint- 
ment. Any vacancy which may occur in said board when the 
senate is not in session shall be filled by the governor until the 
next session thereof, when he shall, with the advice and consent 
of the senate, appoint some person to fill such vacancy for the 
remainder of the term. 

Sec. 4. Said board mav appoint a secretarv, who shall by Secretary, du- 

' •" ties and term 

virtue of his office be a member of the board; he shall give "^ office, 
bond to the state in such sum as the board may require, for 
the faithful performance of his duties; he shall keep a record 
of all the doings of said board, and shall perform such other 
duties as may be by them required. Such secretary shall hold 
his office during the pleasure of the board. 

Sec. 5. No member of the board, except the secretarv, shall compensation 

to the secretary- 
receive anv compensation for his services, but every member ""J^- '^"* *''^^' 

'- ' J elhng expenses 

shall be paid out of the state treasury his necessary travelling '° ^'^' 
expenses. 

Sec. 6. The said board shall establish a svstem of govern-. Government of 

the school. 

ment for the institution, and shall make all necessary rules 
and regulations for imparting instruction, and for the proper 
training of the children. They shall appoint such officers, 



72 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



What chiSdren 
are to be re- 
ceiyed. 



Children re- 
ceived, to be 
returned, 
when, to 
authorities. 



Object of the 
school and 
duty of the 
board to carry 
out the pur- 
poses of this 
chapter. 



teachers and employees as shall be necessary, and prescribe- 
their duties and fix their salaries. 

Sec. 7. They shall receive, in accordance with rules by 
them established, such children as may be declared vagrant,, 
neglected and dependent on the public for support, as pro- 
vided in this chapter, who are over four and under fourteen 
years of age, and who are in a suitable condition of mind and 
body to be instructed; for exceptional reasons, children under 
four years may be received, should the board deem it advis- 
able. Any child who shall be found by the board to be of 
unsound mind, or who may be considered by the board an 
improper inmate of said institution, shall be forthwith re- 
turned by them to the authorities from whom said child was 
received, who are hereby required to receive the same; and all 
children admitted shall remain until they are eighteen years of 
age, unless otherwise ordered by the board. 

Sec. 8. It is declared to be the object of this chapter to 
provide for neglected and dependent children, not recognized 
as vicious or criminal, such influences as will lead toward an 
honest, intelligent and self-supporting manhood and woman- 
hood, the state, so far as possible, holding to them the paren- 
tal relation. But if at any time, in the discretion of the board,, 
this object can be better attained by placing a child in a good 
famil}^, they shall have the power to do so on condition that 
its education shall be provided for by such family in the public 
schools of the town or city where they may reside. The board 
are hereby made the legal guardians of all the children who 
may become inmates of the home and school, and charged with 
the duty of following such children as may be placed in families, 
with watchful care, and of taking them back to their own im- 
mediate supervision if at any time they fail to receive kind and 
proper treatment and a fair elementary education; and in case 
any child shall leave without permission, or be taken by any 
person unauthorized from said institution or from any family 



STATE HOME AND SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN. 73 

where it shall have been placed by said board, then said board 
is hereby authorized to take and restore said child to said in- 
stitution or to the family. 

Sec. 9. It shall be the duty. of the superintendents or arTto'bd^g'^the 
overseers of the poor in the several towns to, and any agent Lmpiatecf by' 
of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to before court' of 

probate. 

Children may, bring before the courts of probate of such towns 21 r. i. 52. 
for examination, children supported in poor-houses or other- 
wise dependent on the public for support, or other children 
found to be in a state of vagrancy, want, or suffering, or aban- 
doned by their parents or guardians, or not having any home 
or settled abode or proper guardianship; and thereupon it shall 
be the duty of the court of probate before whom any such child 
is brought, to investigate the facts and ascertain if the child 
is so supported, or is in a state of vagrancy, want, and suffer- 
ing, or is abandoned by its parents or guardians, or is with- 
out home or settled abode or proper guardianship, and also 

to ascertain its name, age and place of birth, and the names courts of pro- 
bate herein, 
and residence of its parents or guardians, if it have any, and 

where and for what length of time, if at all, it has been supported 

at the expense of the town or state; and said courts of probate 

shall have power to compel attendance of witnesses. The par- 

Parents or 

ents or any friend may appear in behalf of any child, and the friends may 

^ ./ i 1 ^7 appear for 

court of probate in its discretion may request some suitable per- '''^'''^' 
son to appear in behalf of any child; and if on such examination 
the court shall find that such child is so supported or dependent, 
or is in a state of vagrancy, want, and suffering, or is so aban- 
doned, or without home or settled abode or proper guardianship, 
it shall make a proper order containing a statement of the facts 
ascertained as to said child, and entrusting said child to the care 
and custod}^ of the said board, together with a direction to the 
superintendent or overseer of the poor to take said child to the 
state home and school, and shall deliver to the superintendent or 

overseer of the poor, or other person procuring such exami- 
10 



74 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Order of court, 
and execution 
thereof. 



Expenses to 
be paid by the 
town. 

Proviso as to 
children in 
state alms- 
house. 



Expenses to be 
paid bv the 
state. 



Register of 

children. 



To report an- 
nually to the 
general assem- 
bly. 

Pub. Laws, 
720, Feb. 9, 
1900. 



nation, a certified copy thereof. Such certified copy of such 
order shall then be delivered with the child at the home and 
school, to the presiding officer thereof. All expenses attend- 
ing the foregoing proceedings shall be paid by the town or city 
in which the child belongs: Provided, that children between 
the ages of four and fourteen supported in the state almshouse 
may be brought before the probate court of the town of Cranston 
by the agent of the board of state charities and corrections, and 
said court is hereby clothed with the same power over such 
children, and such proceedings may be had, as if they were 
regularly domiciled in said town; and all expenses incident to 
the hearings in said cases before said probate court shall be 
paid by the state, and the state auditor is hereby authorized to 
draw his orders for the payment of all such bills, when certified 
by the secretary of the board of control of the state home and 
school, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appro- 
priated. 

Sec. 10. The board shall provide a book in which shall be 
registered the names, ages and places of birth of the children 
under their care; the residence of the parents or guardians- 
as nearly as can be ascertained; the date when each child is 
received and from what town, and when he leaves the school; 
and whenever a child is placed in a family, the name, residence 
and occupation of such family; and such book shall be open at 
all times for the inspection of the probate clerks and the over- 
seers of the poor of the several cities and towns of the state. 

Sec. 11. The said board of control shall annually report 
to the general assembly at its January session, upon the con- 
dition of the school, the number of inmates thereof, the ex- 
penditures for the year, and their estimates for the year ensuing, 
together with such other matters as may seem desirable. 



RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL FOR THE FEEBLE-.MIXDED. 75 



CHAPTER 103 Pub. Laws, Ch. 



1907. 



Of the Establishment, Maintenance, Management, and Control of 
the Rhode Island School for the Feehle-Minded. 



Section 

1. School established. 

2. Under the control of state board 

of education. 

3. School department to be main" 

tained. 



Section 

4. Wliat children are to be transferred 

to and received into. 

5. Who may be received in said school- 

6. Person may be committed to, when. 

7. Board to make annual report. 



Section 1. A school to be known as the Rhode Island School f- ^v ^'=^°?', 

for the feeble- 

for the Feeble-Minded shall be established and shall be under estabii?he°d''^ 
the management and control of the state board of education. 

Sec. 2. Said board is empowered to lease necessary land To be under 

the manage- 

and buildings for said school, the expense thereof to be paid out "rorof^the^*^^' 

P • , ^ I- ,^ • 2 p-iii state board of 

oi any moneys appropriated tor tlie maintenance oi said school, education. 
and to purchase land and erect buildings for the use of said 
school, the expense thereof to be paid out of any moneys ap- 
propriated for that purpose. Said board shall have power to Powers and du- 
ties of the 
make such by-laws and regulations for the government thereof, board- 
not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, as they 
may deem expedient. They shall appoint such officers, teach- 
ers, and employees as shall be necessary, and prescribe their 
duties and fix their salaries and compensation, and shall pur- 
chase such furniture, books, school apparatus, and other sup- 
plies necessary to the equipment and carrying on of said schooL 

Sec. 3. In said school shall be maintained a school depart- school de- 
ment for the instruction and education of feeble-minded per- maintained, 
sons who are within school age, or who are in the judgment of 
said board capable of being benefited by school instruction; and 
.a custodial department for the care and custody of feeble- 
minded persons beyond school age, or who are not capable of 
being benefited by school instruction. 

Sec. 4. All feeble-minded persons in the care and custody what persons 

are to be trans- 
ferred to, and 



of the state, or of any town in this state, capable of being bene- received 



mto. 



76 



LAWS KELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Who may be 
received in 
said school. 



Person may be 
committed to 
said school, 
when. 



fited by school instruction shall be transferred to and received 
into said school whenever said board considers the conditions in 
said school suitable and the accommodations in said school 
ample for the proper care and instruction of such persons. 

Sec. 5. Said board may gratuitously receive, maintain, and 
educate in said school such feeble-minded persons, residents of 
this state, as they, upon investigation, believe are without means 
of support, and whose lawful guardians are unable to pay for 
such maintenance and education or are not liable for the same. 
Other pupils may be received from this state or elsewhere, at 
such a charge as said board may in their discretion fix. Over- 
seers of the poor in all the towns of this state shall receive and 
forward to said board any applications that may be brought 
to their attention for the admission to said school of any feeble- 
minded persons residing in their respective towns. All applica- 
tions for admission of any feeble-minded person to said school, 
under the provisions of this section, shall be made in writing, to 
said board, by the parent or parents, guardian, or the person 
having the care and custody of such feeble-minded person, and 
each such application shall be accompanied by the certificate of 
two practicing physicians in good standing, that such person, 
whose admission is sought into said school, is feeble-minded and 
a proper subject for admission to said school. Said board shall 
have full control and authority over the inmates of the school, 
and may, whenever they consider it necessary or expedients 
discharge any pupil of said school, delivering said discharged pu- 
pil to the person or place Hable for his support, and in default 
of such Hability, to the state almshouse. 

Sec. 6. Whenever complaint in writing and under oath 
shall be made to any justice or clerk of the district court that 
any person within the district wherein such court is established 
is feeble-minded, so as to require restraint for his own welfare 
or for the welfare of the pubhc, such justice or clerk shall issue 
his warrant under his hand and seal, returnable forthwith, di- 



RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL FOR THE FEEBLE-MINDED. 77 

rected to the sheriff, deputy-sheriffs, chiefs of police, town ser- 
geants, or constables in the county wherein such district is 
situated, requiring the officer charged therewith to apprehend 
such person and have him with such warrant before such district 
court for examination relative to such complaint at such time 
and place within the district as shall be named in the warrant. 
Such court may continue or adjourn any such hearing or exam- 
ination pending before it from time to time and to the same or to 
a different place in the same district, and may pending the 
hearing or examination order the person so apprehended to be 
detained in the Rhode Island School for the Feeble-Minded, or 
may, if it deem proper, require him to enter into recognizance in 
such sum as the court shall direct, with sufficient surety or 
sureties satisfactory to said court, with condition that the person 
so apprehended shall appear before such court at the time and 
place of such examination or hearing, and for want of such 
recognizance such person shall be committed to the Rhode Island 
School for the Feeble-Minded. If the court on such examina- 
tion and upon the testimony of two practicing physicians in 
good standing shall adjudge such complaint to be true, it shall, 
unless some provision for the adequate restraint of such person 
satisfactory to said court shall be made, commit such person by 
warrant under its hand and seal to the Rhode Island School for 
the Feeble-Minded, there to be detained until in the judgment 
of tlie state board of education such jDerson shall be no longer 
under the necessity of restraint, or until adequate provision 
satisfactory to such district court for the restraint of such per- 
son shall be made before it. Application for the discharge from 
the Rhode Island School for the Feeble-Minded of any person so 
committed may be made by him, or by some person in his be- 
half, to the district court by Avhich such person was committed, 
and a time and place for the hearing of such application shall be 
appointed by such court to whom such application shall have 
been made, and such court shall have the power to order the 



78 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATIOX. 



Board to make 
an annual re- 
port to the 
general assem- 
bly. 



discharge of such person. An}- person aggrieved by the order 
of any district court committing such person to such school for 
the feeble-minded or refusing to discharge such person therefrom 
shall have the same right of appeal as is provided from the 
judgment of a district court in criminal cases. 

Sec. 7. Said board shall annuallj- in the month of January 
prepare and present to the general assembly a written or printed 
report of said school, including therein' statements of its work, 
its expenditures and income, the amounts appropriated for its 
support and the amount expended under each appropriation, the 
whole and average number of its inmates, the number of inmates 
received and discharged, the number of beneficiaries supported 
by the state in said school, the number and salary of officers and 
employees, and such other information as in their opinion will 
be of value, said report to be for the 3'ear ending on the 30th day 
of September next preceding the date of said report. 



■Gen. Laws. 
1896, Ch. 102. 



No license to 
be granted 
within 200 feet 
of any public 
or parochial 
school. 



CHAPTER 123. 
Oj the Suppressio7i of Inteinpe ranee. 

Sectiox 2. Licenses, by whom and how granted. 

Section 2 Nor shall any 

license be granted for the sale of such liquors in any building or 
place, except taverns that were licensed on the twenty-second 
day of Ma}', nineteen hundred eight, within two hundred feet, 
measured by any public travelled way, of the premises of any 
public or parochial school. 



■Gen. Laws, 
1896, Ch. 108. 



CHAPTER 129. 
Of Protection to Life from Fire in Certain Buildings. 



Sectiox 

1. Building three or more stories in 
height to have means of escape 
from fire; 
8. Liability of owner for neglect to 



Section 

provide fire-escapes, if death en- 
sues. 
9. Penalty for non-compliance with the 
requirements of this chapter. 



PROTECTION TO LIFE FROM FIRE IN CERTAIN BUILDINGS. 79 

Section 1. Every buildino; three or more stories in heieht, Buildings three 

"^ '^ or four stones 

now or hereafter used wholly or in part as a seminary, college, 'pro'^^'led with^ 
academy, school-house, hospital, asylum, hotel, lodging-house firepnjof'stki"- 

ways. 

for the accommodation of transient guests, factory or workshop 
in which employees are usually working in the third or any 
higher story thereof, and every building used for office pur- 
poses three or more stories in height, shall be provided by the 
owner or owners thereof either with proper and sufficient strong 
and durable, metallic fire-escapes upon the external walls, suffi- 
cient in number, which fire-escapes shall extend from the high- 
est occupied story to the top of the first story of said building, 
or with proper and sufficient incumbustible stairs and stairways 
at opposite ends of the building, extending from the highest 
occupied story to the ground ; said stairs and stairways shall be 
connected by open passageways of suitable width ; said fire-es- 
capes, stairs and stairways to be suitable and sufficient to af- 
ford to persons within said building proper egress from said 
building in case of fire therein, and to be kept in repair by said 
owner or owners. 

Sec. 8. In all cases in which smy person shall suffer injury Liability of 

owners for ne- 

or in which the death of any person shall ensue in consequence vile* suitable 
of the failure of the owner or owners of any building to provide death^en^ues!^ 
the same with fire-escapes or stairs or stairways, as required by ii2o'. " ^^°' 
the provisions of this chapter, or in consequence of the failure 
of said owner or owners to comply with the written notice and 
requirement of any inspector of buildings, when made in con- 
formity to the provisions of this chapter, such owner or owners 
shall be jointly and severally liable, to any person so injured, 
in an action of trespass on the case forclamages for such injury; 
and in case of death such owner or owners shall be jointly and 
severally liable in damages for the injury caused by the death 
of such person, to be recovered, by action of trespass on the 
case, in the same manner and for the benefit of the same persons 
as is provided in sections fourteen and fifteen of chapter two 



80 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Penalty for 
non-compli- 
ance. 



hundred eighty-three; which action, when the owners are non- 
residents, may be commenced b}" attachment. It shall be no 
defence to said action that the person injured, or whose death 
ensued as aforesaid, had knowledge that any such building was 
not provided with fire-escapes or stairs and stairways as required 
by the provisions of this chapter, or that such person continued 
to work in or to occupy said building with said knowledge. 

Sec. 9. The owner or owners of any building, or in case such 
owners, or any of them, be non compos mentis, or a minor, the 
guardian of any such owner, or in case such owners, or any of 
them, be non-resident, the agent of any such owner having 
charge of such property, who shall neglect or fail to comply with 
the foregoing provisions of this chapter shall be fined not less 
than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars. 
In case there shall be several owners of any building, which 
shall be continued in violation of said provisions of this chapter, 
proceedings may be had against any or all of them jointly, or 
against any one of them, for the recovery of such fine. 



Pub. Laws, Ch. 
1536, April 22, 
1908. 



CHAPTER 131. 
Of Diminishing Danger to Life in Case of Fire. 



Section 

2. Doors or windows of or to any exit 
or fire escape to be so arranged 
as to swing outward. 

6. Aisles or passageways not to be 

obstructed. 

7. Certain houses having accommo- 

dations for 25 or more persons. 



Section 

subject to provisions of section 2 
of this chapter. 
9. Duties of city and town officers un- 
der this chapter. 
10. Penalties for not complying with 
provisions of this chapter. 



Doors or win- SECTION 2. All theatres, halls, churches, and school houses 

■dows of or to 

esca^e'to°bfso" sliall have the doors or windows of or to any exit or fire escape, 

svdng^outward. and of any opening thereto, so arranged as to swing outward; 

and at no time when any show, performance, exhibition, dance, 

ball, fair, service, or session is being given or held therein, or 



DIMINISHING DANGER TO LIFE IN CASE OF FIRE. 81 

any audience shall be present therein, shall said doors or win- 
dows be locked. 

Sec. 6. No obstruction of any kind shall be placed in the Aisles or pas- 

•■ ^ sage ways not 

aisles or passageways leading to any exit or fire escape, or any 1°^^^ obstmct- 
openings thereto, of any theatre, hall, church, or school while 
any show, performance, exhibition, dance, ball, fair, service, or 
session is being given or held therein, or while any audience is 
present therein. 

Sec. 7. All poorhouses, orphan asylums, homes maintained havin'ga^cwm- 

,1 ,1 IT T . 1 -j^ 1 1 1 modations for 

m whole or part by any public, religious, charitable or benev- 25 or more per- 
sons, subject 

olent institution, hospitals, hotels, and licensed lodging houses, to provisions 

' ^ ' ' ° ° ' of section 2 of 

which severally have twenty-five or more inmates, or permanent ^^^^ chapter, 
accommodations for twenty-five or more persons, shall have 
the doors or windows of or to any exit or fire escape so arranged 
as to swing outward. All buildings used as factories, laundries, 
or workshops, in whole or in part, in which buildings severally 
twenty-five or more persons are emploj^ed, shall have the doors 
or windows of or to any exit or fire escape so arranged as to 
swing outward. All factories, laundries, workshops, or rooms 

' ' ^ ' Doors and 

in any building where the entrance thereto is from a corridor or ^°ngoutward 

hallway, and in which factories, laundries, workshops, or rooms, 

severally, twenty-five or more persons are employed, shall have 

the doors of entrance thereto so arranged as to swing outward. 

If any such door or window of such factory, laundry, workshop Doors or win- 
dows in fac- 
or room shall be locked or fastened during working hours the tories, etc., not 

° ^ to be locked ■ 

lock or fastening shall be such, and kept in such condition, hours^soThi"^ 
that the same can be easily and quickly unlocked or unfastened un!ocked"from^ 

... inside. 

by any person from the mside. 

Sec. 9. In every city or town, the inspector of buildings, fn'dtowloffi'- 

• ,,• , j-i'iT 1 c.ii 1 cers under this 

any assistant inspector 01 buildings, any member of the board chapter. 
of police commissioners, the chief of police, any member of the 
board of fire commissioners if any, the chief of the fire depart- 
ment, and any person charged hereunder with the enforcement 
11 



82 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION". 



Penalties for 
not complying 
with provis- 
sions of this 
chapter. 



of the provisions hereof, shall be at all reasonable times admit- 
ted free of charge into all parts of every theatre, hall, church, 
school, or other building, factory, laundry, or shop included 
within the provisions hereof, to ascertain whether the require- 
ments of this chapter are complied with. 

Sec. 10, Any person, whose duty it is to comply with any 
of the provisions of this chapter, who shall neglect or refuse to 
comply with the same, shall be fined not exceeding one hundred 
dollars for each offence, and every clay of such neglect or failure 
shall constitute a separate offence. The supreme court and the 
superior court within their respective jurisdictions shall have 
power to issue any extraordinary writs, or to proceed according 
to the course of equity, or both, to secure the fulfillment and 
execution of the provisions hereof. If any such remedy or 
proceeding is sought or brought in the superior court, it shall be 
in the court for the county in which the building is located. 



Gen. Laws. 
1896, Ch. 111. 



Dogs to be li- 
censed, etc., in 
April; 
27 R. I. 145. 



fees therefor. 



CHAPTER 135. 
Of Dogs. 



Section 
10. Dogs to be licensed in April; fees 
therefor. May be licensed in 
May; fee therefor. Penalty. 
15, 16. Appraisers of damage done by 



Section 



dogs; mode of appraising; dam- 
ages, how recovered. Balance to 
be applied for support of public 
schools. 



Section 10. Every owner or keeper of a dog, of what age 
soever, shall annually in the month of April cause such dog to 
be registered, numbered, described and licensed from the first 
day of the ensuing June, in the office of the town clerk of the 
town wherein such owner or keeper resides; and shall cause it 
to wear a collar around its neck distinctly marked with its 
owner's name and with its registered number; and shall pay to 
such clerk, for such license, one dollar and fifteen cents for a 
male dog and five dollars and fifteen cents for a female dog; 



DOGS. 83 

and all licenses granted under the provisions of this chapter shall 
be valid in every town during the then current year: Provided, ^nLd^in' 
however, that any owner or keeper of a dog, of what age soever therefor. 
maj^, in the month of May in any year, have such dog licensed as 
aforesaid, upon paying to such clerk two dollars and fifteen 
cents for a male dog and six dollars and fifteen cents for a female 
dog; and provided further, that any person who shall become the ^j^^^ ^^ ^^ 
owner or keeper of a dog, of what age soever, after the last day so^alyl^'*'^™ 
of May in each year, and prior to the first day of April follow- 
ing, shall cause the same to be registered, numbered, collared and 
licensed, within thirty days after he becomes such owner or 
keeper, upon the payment of one clollaT and fifteen cents for a 
male dog and five dollars and fifteen cents for a female dog. 
Every person owning or keeping a dog not registered, licensed Penalty. 
and collared according to the provisions of this section shall be 
fined ten dollars, one-half thereof to the use of the complainant 
and one-half thereof to the use of the town wherein such dog 
shall have been kept, to be applied by the said town to the sup- For support of 

^ ' ^^ -^ ^ public schools. 

port of public schools therein. 

Sec. 15. Each towm or city council, excepting town and Appraisers of 

. . damage done 

City councils m the county of Newport, shall annually m the by dogs. 
month of April appoint one or more suitable persons appraisers, 
who shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of their duties, to 
appraise the damage that may be done to any owner of any sheep 
or lambs, cattle or horses, hogs or fowls, suffering loss by reason agerdamag^s 
of the biting, maining or killing thereof by any dog or dogs, and °^ ^^' 
to give a statement thereof in writing to the owner suffering 
such loss; and such owner, suffering loss as aforesaid, shall, with- 
in two days after such loss shall come to his knowledge, notify 
the appraiser, so appointed and sworn, living nearest to him in 
the town wherein such owner resides, of such loss; and said ap- 
praiser shall, on receipt of twenty-five cents for each mile's 
travel and the sum of one dollar from such owner, appraise the 
damage and give a statement thereof in writing, with his lawful 



84 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Balance to be 
applied to 
school-fund, 
except when. 



Same subject; 
in Newport 
county. 



Mode of ap- 
praising dam- 
age; damages 
how paid. 



fees taxed thereon, to such owner; and said owner shall, within 
sixty days thereafter, present the same to the town council of 
such town, who shall draw an order on the town treasurer for 
the amount of such appraisal and fees, or for such other amount 
as they, in their discretion, after careful examination, shall 
deem just; and said order, when presented to the town treas- 
urer, shall be paid in the same manner as an}- other order made 
by the town council upon the town treasurer; and should any 
monej^, received under the provisions of this chapter, remain in 
the town treasury after April first, the town treasurer shall, on 
the first Monday in Ma}' following, pay over the whole of such 
money so remaining to the school-fund of such town for the sup- 
port of the public schools therein: Provided, however, that any 
town, at its annual meeting or at a town meeting specially 
called for that purpose, maj' vote to retain such money as a 
separate fund for the paj'ment of damages done as aforesaid. 

Sec. 16. Each town or city council in the county of New- 
port shall annualh' in the month of April appoint one or more 
suitable persons appraisers, who shall be sworn to the faithful 
discharge of their duties, to appraise the damage that may be 
done to any owner of am- sheep or lambs, cattle, horses, hogs 
or fowls, suffering loss by reason of the biting, maiming or killing 
thereof by anj^ dog, and to give a statement thereof in writing 
to the owner suffering loss; and such owner, suffering loss as 
aforesaid, shall, within two days after such loss shall come to his 
knowledge, notifj^ the appraiser, so appointed and sworn, living 
nearest to him in the town wherein such owner resides, of such 
loss; and said appraiser shall, on receipt of twent}^ cents for each 
mile's travel and the sum of one dollar from such owner, appraise 
the damage and give a statement thereof in writing, with his 
lawful fees taxed thereon, to such owner; and said owner shall, 
within sixt}^ days thereafter, present to the town or city council 
of the town or cit}^ where such damage is done the appraisal 
thereof, and thereupon the town or city council of such town 



or city - _ :. ^ ;. . • - . _ - : \— ~. l ^ :■:• wn or eily treasoDn^ for tlse 

.aiiioiiiit of saeh appraisal and f ees, or for so^ otiber amMHmt as 

tiieTj. in tbdir diseretioii, affc^ eartelial esannniation, ^b^ deem 

just. And saeh town or eitr txeasarer ^laU annnallhr, on the 

last Monday in jUareh, pay all saeh ordexs in foil, if the gross 

amoant thos reeesved bir saeh town or ettr nnd^r the proTlsk)ns 

of this ehapt^*, after dedaeting all soms previoashr laid oiiit 

under saeh pzoTisions, is, so^eient th@nefor; otherwise the town 

or eity tieasarer diall divide saeh amoant^ after dedaeting as 

aforesaid, pro rata among said c^rdos, and Use pajmsat thereof 

shall be in faO. disehaise of saeh orders; and ^lonld any nsoner, i^^amee so be 

received nnder ■die prov^oiME of this chapter, remain in the ^^^^'^rf^ 

town, treasory aft@r payment provided for heare^w, the town or 

city treasarer ^lall, on the &st Moiiday in May fcAowing, pay 

OV0- the whcde of sneh money so ronaining to the sehoc^rfEiind 

of saeh town or ei^ for the town or eity for the sopport of the 

poblie schools themn: Providedj koweweTj, that any town in 

said eoanty at its annual meeting, or at a town meeting specially 

called for that porpose, or any city in said eoanty by its city 

cooneil, may vote to retain saeh money as a separate fond for the 

payment of damage done as aforesaid. 



CHAPTER 201. ^T"im 

Of Biils of Erekange and Prontissemfi Noies^ and of Legal In- 

tere^ (Legal Hoiida^s}. 

Sectiox 5. The Srst day of Janiaary (as new yearns day), iLegai! fassBsifcBjts 
the twemty-seeond day of Febnuary (as WaMnington's birthday), s®9, j&bb. m. 



the second Friday in May (as Arbor day), the thirtieth day of 

M&j (as Memorial day), the foorth day of Joly (as Independence 

day), the first Monday of Sept^nber (as Labor day), the Taesday 
next after the first Monday in Xovcmber (as state election day). 



mm. 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

the twenty-fifth day of December (as Christmas day), and each 
of said days in ever}- year, or when either of the said days fall 
on the first day of the week then the day following it, the first- 
da}^ of ever}' week (commonly called Sunday), and such other 
days as the governor or general assembly of this state or the 
president or the congress of the United States shall appoint as- 
holidays for any purpose, days of thanksgiving, or days of sol- 
emn fast, shall be holida3^s. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, ch. 176. 



Miscellaneous 
corporations, 
how formed. 



Agreement. 

Name. 
IS R L 165. 



Purpose. 

Location. 
21 R. I. 444. 
21 R. I. 498. 



CHAPTER 212. 

Of Incorporation. 



Section 

11. Miscellaneous corporations are 

formed by what articles of agree- 
ment, how executed, and, with 
certificate of fee paid, where filed. 
Form of certificate of incorpora- 
tion. 

12. Certificate of incorporation confers 

what powers. 



bECTION 

13. Such corporation may hold prop- 

erty to what amount. 

14. Articles of agreement may be 

amended, how. 

15. Certified copies of incorporations 

are admissible in evidence. 



Section 11. All libraries, lyceums, fire-engine companies,, 
and corporations formed for religious, charitable, literary, scien- 
tific, artistic, social, musical, agricultural or sporting purposes^ 
not organized for business purposes^ and all other corporations 
of like nature not hereinbefore otherwise provided for, shall be 
created in the following manner, viz. : Five or more persons of 
lawful age shall associate by written articles which shall express :. 

First. Their agreement to form said corporation; 

Second. The name by which it shall be known, which name 
shall not then be in use by any existing corporation of the 
state; 

Third. The purpose for which it is constituted; 

Fourth. The town or city in which it is to be located. 

Said agreement shall be signed and acknowledged by all the 
members named therein. Said agreement shall be filed in the 



INCORPORATION. 87 

office of the secretarr of state, and said persons shall pav a fee Agreement 

^ ^ ' muat be signed, 

of five dollars into the general treasury of the state. When said ifiiZd'it'^' 
agreement has been so filed, together with the certificate of the secretary of 

state, with a 

general treasurer that the fee of five dollars has been paid, and certificate of 

° ^ the payment of 

the sum of one dollar has been paid to said secretarv of state ^^- .^ ^ 

'■ - Certiricates of 

for the certificate hereinafter required, the secretary of state to'^be^Ssted'by 
shall thereupon issue to said corporation his certificate, under state, 
the seal of the state, substantially in the following form:— 

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. 

I, secretary of state, herebv certifv that [here insert Formof cer- 

' J 7 . . L tificate. 

names of all the corporators] have filed in the office of secre- Pub. Laws, 

' ^ -" 1459, April 23, 

ta^y of state their agreement to form a corporation under the ^^^^• 
name of [here insert name of corporation] for the purpose [here 
insert purpose] in accordance with law, and have also filed the 
certificate of the general treasurer that they have paid into the 
general treasury of the state the fee required by law. 

Witness my hand and the seal of the state of Rhode Island 
this day of in the year 

The meeting of said corporators to form said corporation shall 
be called and held in accordance with the provisions of section 
six of this chapter. 

Sec. 12. When said certificate has been issued as aforesaid confer^whar 
said corporators shall be authorized to carry out the purpose of ^°'"^^^- 
such agreement with all the powers and subject to all the duties 
and liabilities as provided herein and in chapter two hundred 
thirteen and all amendments thereof and additions thereto, so 
far as not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, and so 
far as the provisions of said chapter two hundred thirteen shall 
be applicable to such corporation. 

Sec. 13. Said corporation shall be entitled to take, hold, May hold 

property to 

transmit and convev real and personal estate to an amount not I'^^^J}},^^ . 

'■ $100,000; m 

exceeding in all one hundred thouSand dollars. But if such by*^spec^!'^^°^' 
corporation desires to take and hold property to an amount 



88 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



Articles of 
agreement may 
be amended, 
how, except- 
ing as provided 
in section 13. 



Copies, when 
certified by 
secretary of 
state, to be 
taken in 
evidence. 



exceeding one hundred thousand dollars either originally or hy 
amendment, such privilege shall be granted only by the general 
assembly on petition thereto. 

Sec. 14. Such agreement may be amended in any partic- 
ular not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, ex- 
cepting as provided in the preceding section, by vote of the 
corporation and the filing in the office of the secretary of state 
of a copy of such vote duly attested by the president and sec- 
retary of said corporation. 

Sec. 15. Copies of agreements to form corporations, when 
formed by agreement, or of any amendment thereof, and the 
fact of their being filed in the office of the secretary of state 
and the date of such filing, and the filing of the certificate of 
the general treasurer, shall, when certified to by the secretary 
of state, be received in evidence before any court, tribunal or 
authority. 



Gen. Laws, 
1896, ch. 278. 

18 R. I. 416. 

18 R. I. 483. 



CHAPTER 344. 

Of Offences Against Public Peace and Property. 



Section 

4. Penalty for wilful injury to public 
property. 



Section 

8. Penalty for wilfully disturbing 
meetings. 



Penalty for 
wilful injury 
to public 
property. 



Penalty for 
wilfully dis- 
turbing meet- 
ings. 
18 R. I. 459. 



Section 4. Every person who shall wilfully cut or deface or 
otherwise injure any public building or fence or other property 
belonging to this state, shall be fined not less than twice the 
amount of the damage done, unless that amount shall exceed 
twenty dollars; and if that amount shall exceed twenty dollars, 
he shall be imprisoned not exceeding one year. 

Sec. 8. Every person who shall wilfully interrupt or dis- 
turb any town or ward meeting, any assembly or people met 
for religious worship, any public or private school, any meet- 
ing lawfully and peaceably held for purposes of moral, liter- 



OFFENCES AGAINST PRIVATE PROPERTY, 



89 



ary or scientific improvement, or an}- other lawful meeting, 
exhibition or entertainment, either within or without the 
place where such meeting or school is held, shall be imprisoned 
not exceeding one year or be fined not exceeding five hundred 
dollars. 



CHAPTER 345. 
Of Offences Against Private Property. 



Gen. Laws, 
1S96. ch. 297. 
14 R. I. 



Section 

S. Breaking and entering other than 
a dwelling-house, with intent to 
commit certain crimes, how 
punished. 



Section" 

55. Penalty for malicious mischief to 

books of library. 

56. Same for neglecting to return li- 

brary books. 



Section 8. Every person who shall break or enter any bank, fnTer^ngf other 
shop, office or warehouse, not adjoining to or occupied with a house, with 

the intent to 

dwelling-house, anv meeting-house, church, chapel, court-house, commit cer- 

^ ' " i^ } } I-' ; 1 j^.^iQ crimes, 

town-house, college, acadenw, school-house, library or other '^°^ pumshe . 
building erected for public use or occupied for any public pur- 
pose, or any ship or vessel, in the night-time, with intent to 
commit murder, rape, robbery or larceny, shall be imprisoned 
not exceeding ten years. 

Sec. 55. Every person who wilfully and maliciously or maifcio^us°mis- 

. . chief to boolcs, 

wantonlv and without cause writes upon, injures, defaces, etc., of free 

public or refer- 

tears, or destroys any -book, pamphlet, plate, picture, engrav- |,"Jj^ Law7' 
ing, statue, or other property belonging to any law, town, igoj! '"' 
city, or other free public or reference library, or suffers such in- 
jury to be inflicted while said property is in his custody, shall be 
fined not more than twenty dollars, the same to be for the use 
of the library. 

Sec. 56. Every person who shall take or borrow from any negiect\o%e- 

' turn to library, 

public or reference library any book, pamphlet, periodical, pa- books, etc., af- 
per, or other piece o'f property of said library, and who, upon f^gs ^Ipiii 23 

neglect to return the same within the time required and specified 
12 



90 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



in the by-laws, rules, or regulations of the library owning the 
property, has been notified by the librarian or other proper 
custodian of the property that the same is overdue, shall upon 
further neglect to return the same within two months from the 
date of such notice, or upon neglect to pay the charges on the 
book, or other article, be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be 
fined not more than ten dollars, the same to be for the use of 
the library. A written or printed notice given personally or 
sent by mail to a last known or registered place of residence 
shall be considered a sufficient notice. 



Gen. Laws, 
1S96, ch. 283. 
1 R. L 1. 



Corruptly ac- 
cepting or at- 
tempting to 
obtain by any 
employee or 
public official 
any gift for 
dishonest 
practice for- 
bidden. 
Pub. Laws, 
1219, April 11, 
1905. 



CHAPTER 349. 

Of Offences Against Public Policjj. 



Section 

21. Corruptly accepting or attempting 

to obtain by any employee or 
public official, any gift for dis- 
honest practice, forbidden. 

22. No person to corruptly give or 

oSer any gift to any employee or 
public official as a reward for dis- 
honest practice. 

23. No document containing any false 



Section 

statement intended to deceive 
an employer to be given to any 
employee. 

24. Penalty. 

25. Remedy for person injured. 

38. Flags or emblems of foreign coun- 
tries not to be displayed upon 
public buildings and school- 
houses. 



Section 21. No agent, employee, or servant in public or 
private employ, or public official shall corruptly accept, or ob- 
tain or agree to accept, or attempt to ot)tain from any person, 
for himself or for any other person, any gift or valuable con- 
sideration as an inducement or reward for doing or forbearing 
to do, or for having done or forborne to do, any act in relation 
to the business of his principal, master, employer, or state, city, 
or town of which he is an official, or for showing or forbearing- 
to show favor or disfavor to any person in relation to the busi- 
ness of his principal, master, employer, or state, city or town 
of which he is an official. 

Sec. 22. No person shall corruptly give or offer any gift 



OFFENCES AGAINST PUBLIC POLICY. 91 

or valuable consideration to aiw such agent, employee, servant, ^° person to 

-' <=>''-•'' ' corruptly give 

■or public official as an inducement or reward for doing or for- "o any^em"-^'^'^ 
bearing to do, or for having done or forborne to do, any act in Hc°offic?ai^'as a 

reward for dis- 

relation to the business of his principal, master, or employer, or jionest prac- 
the state, city, or town of which he is an official, or for showing 
or forbearing to show favor or disfavor to any person in relation 
to the business of his principal, master, employer, or state, city, 
or town of which he is an official. 

Sec 23. No person shall knowingly give to any such agent. No document 

containing any 

■employee, servant, or public official any receipt, account, or false statement 
other document in respect of which the principal, master, or pfoyer^o^ae"^" 
employer, or state, city, or town of which he is an official is inter- employee, 
■ested which contains any statement which is false or erroneous, 
or defective in any important particular, and which, to his 
knowledge, is intended to mislead the principal, master, em- 
plo3'er, or state, city, or town of which he is an official. 

Sec. 24. Am^ person who violates any of the provisions of penalty. 
•sections twentj'-one to twenty-six of this chapter shall be deemed 
guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, on conviction thereof, be 
imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for a term not exceeding 
one year, or be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars. 

Sec. 25. Any person injured, by any violation of the pro- Remedy for 

. . . person injured 

Visions of sections twenty-one and twentv-two of this chapter by violation 

•^ ' ■'of sections 21 

may recover from the person or persons inflicting such injuiy '''"^ "■ 
twice the amount of such injury. 

Sec. 38. It shall be unlawful to displav the flag or em- Flags or em- 

blems of for- 

•blem of any foreign country upon the flagstaff of any state, n(f"to°bTdis-^ 
county, city or town building or public school-house within this public bui?d- 
■state: Provided, however, that when any foreigner shall become school-houses. 
the guest of the United States, or of this state, the flag of the 
country of which such public guest shall be a citizen or subject 
may be displayed upon public buildings, except public school- 
houses. Every person who shall violate the provisions of this 
section shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than 
one hundred dollars. 



PART IV. 



PUBLIC LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION, ENACTED IN 190CJ. 



CHAPTER 383. 



Passed April 
7, 1909. 



AN ACT IN FURTHER AMENDMENT OF SECTION 3 OF CHAPTER. 
66 OF THE GENERAL LAWS OF RHODE ISLAND, 1896, AS 
AMENDED IN SECTION 11 OF CHAPTER 809 OF THE PUBLIC 
LAWS, PASSED JANUARY 29, 1901, TO PROVIDE FOR INCREAS- 
ING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF 
THE RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND ME- 
CHANIC ARTS. 



Term of office 
and appoint- 
ment of board 
of managers of 
the R. I. Col- 
lege of Agrcul- 
ture and Me- 
chanic Arts. 



It is enacted by the General Assemhln as follows: 

Section 1. Section 3 of Chapter 66 of the General Laws^ 
as amended in section 11, Chapter 809, acts and resolves of 
January session, 1901, is hereby further amended to read as- 
follows: 

"Sec. 3. The board of managers of said college corporation 
shall consist of five members appointed by the governor and 
two additional members who shall be determined in the manner 
hereinafter mentioned. The members of said board in office at 
the passage of this act shall continue to hold their offices until 
the expiration of the terms for which they were respectively 
appointed. At the January session of the general assembly in 
each year the governor, with the advice and consent of the sen- 
ate, shall appoint one member of said board to succeed the mem- 
ber whose term will next expire; and the member so appointed 
shall hold his office until the first day of February in the fifth 



COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC ARTS. 93 

year after his appointment. Any vacancy in the membership 
of said board tliiis appointed by the governor, when the senate 
is not in session, shall be filled by the governor until the 
next session thereof, when he shall, with the advice and con- 
sent of the senate, appoint some person to fill such vacancy 
for the remainder of the term. And every future member so 
appointed by the governor shall be a domiciled inhabitant of 
the same county as was the retiring member of the board whose 
place he is appointed to fill. In addition to the five members, 
one from each county, appointed as hereinbefore mentioned, the 
said board shall be constituted of two other members. One 
of these shall be, ex-ofjicio, the state commissioner of public 
schools; the other shall be appointed by and from the state 
board of agriculture, on the passage of this act and biennially 
thereafter. The term of office of the state commissioner of 
pulDlic schools as a member of the said board shall begin from 
the time of the passage of this act and continue during his in- 
cumbency as state commissioner of public schools, his successors 
each in turn coming into office as such member upon qualifying 
for office as state commissioner of public schools. The term of 
office of the member appointed by the state board of agriculture 
shall be two years from the first day of July of the year of such 
appointment. Any vacancy that shall occur during the term 
of office of the said member appointed from the state board of 
agriculture, whether by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall 
be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as herein 
provided for the original appointment." 

Sec 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage, and all 
provisions of the General Laws and of the Public Laws incon- 
sistent hereAvith, and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent 
herewith, are hereby repealed. 



94 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



CHAPTER 401. 

gs|edgAprii AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 1468 OF THE PUBLIC 
~ '' LAWS, ENTITLED "AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PENSION- 

ING OF SCHOOL TEACHERS IN THIS STATE," PASSED AT THE 
JANUARY SESSION, 1907. 

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 

Section 1. Section 1 of Chapter 1468 of the Public Laws, 

entitled "An act providing for the pensioning of school teachers 

in this state," passed at the January session, 1907, is hereby 

amended so as to read as follows: 

Provision for "SECTION 1. Aiiv persoii of either sex who for thirtv- 

the pension- ./a 



state. 



teachers'in^this ^ve ycars has or shall have been engaged in teaching 
as his principal occupation, and has or shall have 
been regularly employed as a teacher in the public 
schools or in such other schools within this state as 
are supported wholly or in part by state appropriation, and 
are entirely managed and controlled by the state, twenty-five 
years of which employilient, including the fifteen years immedi- 
ately preceding retirement, has or shall have been in this state, 
and who, at the expiration of the school year in June, has been 
or shall have been retired by his employer or has or shall have 
voluntarily retired from active service, shall, on his formal ap- 
plication, receive from the state for the remainder of his life an 
annual pension equal to one-half of his average contractual 
salar}' during the last five years before retiring, but in no case 
shall such annual pen.sion be more than five hundred dollars: 
Provided, however, that no such employment as teacher within 
this state after this act shall be included within its provisions, 
unless the teacher shall hold a certificate of qualification issued 
by or under the authority of the state board of education." 
Sec. 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage. 



EHODE ISLAND STATE COLLEGE. 95 

CHAPTER 417. 



AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF SECTION 1 OF CHAPTER 66 OF THE Passed May 4, 

1909. 

GENERAL LAWS, ENTITLED " OF THE RHODE ISLAND COL- 



LEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC ARTS." 

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 

Section 1. Section 1 of Chapter 66 of the General Laws is 
hereby amended so as to read as follows: 

"Section 1. The board of managers of the Rhode Island ^f'AgricuUwe 
College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts as constituted by act Arts, to'con"-"^ 

tinue to be a 

of the general assembly passed at the January session, 1909, and body corpor- 
ate. 

their successors, for the terms for which they have been or for 
which they hereafter may be appointed or elected as such mana- 
gers, shall continue to be a body politic and corporate for the 
purpose of continuing and maintaining said college corporation 
as a college where the leading object shall be, without excluding 
other scientific and classical studies, and including military 
tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to 
agriculture and the mechanic arts, in order to promote the liberal 
and practical education of the industrial classes in the several 
pursuits and professions of life, as provided in the act of the con- 
gress of the United States approved July 2, 1862, entitled 'An 
act donating public lands to the several states and territories 
which may provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and 
the mechanic arts,' and for the purpose of continuing and 
maintaining an agricultural experiment-station as a department 
of said college under and in accordance with, and to carry out 
the purposes of, the act of congress approved March 2, 1887, 
entitled 'An act to establish agricultural experiment-stations in 
connection with the colleges established in the several states un- 
der the provisions of an act approved July 2, 1862, and of the 
acts supplementary thereto,' by the name of 'Rhode Island 
State College,' with all the powers and privileges and subject 



96 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 



to all the duties and liabilities set forth in chapter one hundred 
seventy-seven." 

Sec. 2. All acts and parts of acts inonsistent herewith are 
hereby repealed and this act shall take effect from and after its 
passage. 



CHAPTER 431. 



Passed May 
1909. 



AN ACT IX ADDITIO-N TO CHAPTER 277 OF THE GENERxlL LAWS, 
"OF OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON." 



It is enacted by the General Assembly as follvivs: 



Every person 
being a student 
or in attend- 
ance at any 
public or pri- 
vate school, 
that willfully 
commits any 
act that in- 
jures or de- 
grades any fel- 
low student is 
guilty of a mis- 
demeanor. 



Every teacher 
or superintend- 
ent of a school 
who injures or 
■degrades a per- 
son is guilty of 
a misde- 
meanor. 



Section 1. Chapter 277 of the General Laws, entitled "Of 
offences against the person" is hereby amended by adding the 
following section thereto; viz.: 

"Sec. 29. Every person, being a student, or being a person 
in attendance at any public, private, parochial, or military 
school, college, or other educational institution, who shall 
knowingly and wilfully commit any act that injures, frightens, 
degrades, or disgraces, or tends to injure, frighten, degrade, or 
disgrace, any fellow student or person attending such institution, 
shall be held guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall 
l)e fined not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred 
dollars or imprisonment not less than thirty days nor more than 
one year, or both." 

"Sec. 30. Every person, being a teacher, superintendent, 
commandant, or other person in charge of any public, private, 
parochial, or military school, college, or other educational in- 
stitution, who shall knowingly permit any act which shall injure, 
frighten, degrade, or disgrace any person attending the institu- 
tion in which he is in charge or with which he may be connected, 
as aforesaid, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined 
not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars." 



HIGH STANDARD IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 97 

"Sec. 31. Every person, being a student, or being a person I'enaityfor 
in attendance at any public, private, parochial, or military Jfenf"^^*'^' 
school, college or other educational institution, who shall tattoo 
or knowingly and willfully permanently disfigure the body, 
limbs, or features of any fellow student or person attending such 
institution, by the use of nitrate of silver or any like substance, 
or by any other means, shall be held guilty of a crime of the 
degree of mayhem, and any person guilty of the same shall upon 
conviction be imprisoned not exceeding ten years nor less than 
one year." 

Sec. 4. This act shall take effect from and after its passage. 



CHAPTER 446. 



AN ACT IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 544 OF THE PUBLIC Passed May 7, 

1909. 

LAWS, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO SECURE A MORE UNIFORM 

HIGH STANDARD IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE STATE." 

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 

Section 1. Section 3 of Chapter 544 of the Public Laws is 
hereby amended so as to read as follows : 

"Sec. 3. Any town maintaining a high school having a Any town 

maintaining a 

course of study approved by the state board of education shall proved by°thf' 
be entitled to receive annually from the state twenty-five dollars Iducation'^ 

. shall be en- 

for each pupil m average attendance for the first twenty-five titled to re- 
ceive annually 

pupils, and fifteen dollars for each pupil in average attendance for"eac*h pupff 
for the second twenty-five pupils: Provided, such town shall tend^nclfo^'r*' 

. . the first 25 

admit pupils from other towns, to the extent of the capacity of pupils and sis 

•^ '' for each pupil 

its high school or schools, at a rate of tuition not to exceed the lend^ncf fo^'r*" 
average cost per capita of maintaining its high school or schools. pu°pns. " 
The school committee of any town not maintaining a high school 
shall make provision, at the expense of such town, for the free 
attendance of its children at some high school or academy ap- 



98 



LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

proved by the state board of education, and the town shall be 
entitled to receive aid from the state for each pupil in such 
attendance upon the same basis and to the same extent as if 
it maintained a high school by itself." 

Sec. 2. This act shall take effect on and after July 1st, 1909. 



CHAPTER 458. 



Passed May 
1909. 



AN ACT TO SECURE GREATER EFFICIENCY IN TEACHING IN 
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THIS STATE. 

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 



Public schools, 
provision for 
securing 
greater effi- 
ciency in teach- 
ing in. 



Section 1. The annual salary of a teacher regularly em- 
ployed in any public school of this state, except in cases of per- 
sons engaged in practice-teaching in the state or city training 
schools, on and after the first of September in the year one thou- 
sand nine hundred and ten, shall not be less than four hundred 
dollars. 

Sec. 2. Any town conforming to the provisions of section 
one of this act shall be entitled to receive from the state, an- 
nually, for each teacher employed for a school year, a sum equal 
to one-half of the excess four hundred dollars is over the average 
salary paid to any teacher for the school year of such town 
ending in the year one thousand nine hundred and nine. 



INDEX. 



Accidents to be reported to factory inspectors, 52. 
Account of school commissioner to State auditor, .30. 

of school moneys, penalty for neglect to deliver to successor, 35. 
Acts of incorporation, public acts, 58. 
Adult blind, instruction of, 11. 
Adnussion to R. I. School for Deaf, by trustees, 68. 
Age and schooling certificate, 48, 49. 

Agency or interest in text-books disqualifies school officer. 36. 
Agreement to submit dispute to commissioner, "when, 29. 

Agriculture and ]\Iechanic Arts, R. I. College of (R. I. State College), 42, 92. 95. 
Aisle and passageways to be unobstructed, 81. 
Alcohol, instruction as to effect of, upon human sj-stem, 22. 
Aldermen, Board of, words "town council"' construed to include, 57. 
Annual reports, of board of control of State Home and School, 74. 

of board of education, 11. 

of R. I. School for Feeble-Minded, 78. 

of commissioner of pubhc schools, 13. 

of directors of R. I. School of Design, 46. 

of factory inspectors, 51. 

of private schools, 10. 

of schools aided by State, 10. 

of school committee, 23. 

of treasurer of R. I. College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (R. I. State 
College), 45. 

of town treasurer, 20. 

of trustees of R. I. Institute for the Deaf, 69. 
Apparatus, appropriation for, 16. 

applications therefor to be recorded, 16. 

how apportioned, 16. 
Appeals from condemnation proceedings, 41. 

to school commissioner, 28. 
Apportionment of State appropriation for hbraries, 9. 

for pubhc schools, 15. 



100 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

Appropriation, State, for apparatus and reference books, 16. 
for clerical assistance, 12. 
for education of deaf, blind, and imbecile, 67. 
for evening schools, 16. 
for graded schools, 39. 
for high schools, 39, 97. 
for instruction of adult blind, 11. 
for lectures and teachers' institutes, 30. 
for libraries, 9, 10. 
for public schools, 15. 
for supervision, 19. 
for teachers' pensions, 28. 

for travelling expenses of pupils of Normal school, 30. 
to School of Design, 46, 47. 
town, for libraries, 61, 63. 
for schools, 61. 
Arbor Day, programme for, 13. 
to be a legal holiday, 85. 
Assessing and collecting poll taxes, 65. 
Attendance at school in adjoining town, 22. 
required of what children, 31, 69. 
rules for, made by school committee, 22. 

with reference to State aid for high and graded schools, 38, 97. 
Auctioneers, duties paid by, added to school fund, 59. 

Baptismal certificate, 48. 
Beneficiaries at School of Design, 46. 

blind, deaf, and imbecile, 66. 
bills for, how paid, 67. 
Bequests and legacies to libraries, how treated, 64. 
Birth certificates, 48. 
Blanks and registers to be provided, 11. 

for school census, 21. • 

for report of school committee, 23. 
Blind adults, instruction of, 11. 

imbecile, and deaf children, education of, 66, 67. 
Board of Education, State, 8. 

compensation of, 11. 

constitution of, 8. 

duties of, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19, 25, 27, 29, 38, 46, 67, 75. 



INDEX. 101 

Board of Education, State, how divided, 8. 
how elected, 9. 

may annul teachers' certificates, 26. 
may appoint beneficiaries, 47. 
may visit schools aided by State, 36. 
meetings of, 9. 
officers of, 9. 
secretary of, to receive applications for appointments to R. I. School of 

Design, 47. 
terms of office of, 8, 9. 

to appropriate money and make rules for libraries, 9. 
to approve high schools, 38. 

payments to libraries, 10. 

remission of fines, 29. 

to be members of board of trustees of R. I. Normal School, 29. 

to determine eligibility of applicants for teachers' pensions, 27. 

to elect commissioner of public schools, 8. 

to establish and maintain travelling libraries, 10. 

to have control of R. I. School for the Feeble-Minded, 75. 

to have general control and supervision of public schools of the state, 8. 

to hold examinations for teachers, 25. 

to issue certificates of qualification for teachers' pensions, 27. 

of superintendents, 19. 

of teachers, 25. 
to make report to general assembly annually, 11. 
to prescribe and enforce rules and regulations to render effective laws in 

regard to public schools, 9. 
to provide for instruction of adult blind, 11. 

registers for private schools, 11. 
to receive reports, 10, 46, 78. 
to supervise education of deaf, blind, and imbecile children, 67. 

and make report, 67. 

and provide clothing for, 67. 
travelling expenses of, how paid, 11. 

two members of, to be directors of R. I. School of Design, 46. 
vacancies in, how filled, 9. 
Bribery of schools officers prohibited, and penalty for, 36. 
Buildings to be provided with fire-escapes, 79. 



102 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

Census of children of school age, 20. 

returns of, certified to school commissioner, 21. 
deposited with school committee, 21. 
Certificates, age and schooling, 48, 49. 
baptismal, 48. 
birth, 48. 

of children attending R. I. Institute for the Deaf, 70. 
of children employed, 48, 49. 

copy of, to be kept on file by committee, 49. 
form of, 49. 

penalty for refusing to show, 48. 
to be kept by employer, 48. 
to be surrendered to child, when, 49. 
of children not attending school, 31, 48, 49. 
of incorporation, confer what powers, 87. 
form of, 87. 

issued by secretary of state, 87. 
of school teachers, 25. 
of superintendents, 19. 
of vaccination, required when, 37. 
Change in text-books by committee, how made, 24. 
Children, employment of, prohibited when, 48. 

See Education of Deaf, Blind and Imbecile Childnn 
Rhode Island Institute for the Deaf. 
Rhode Island School for the Feeble-Minded. 
State Home and School for Children. 
Christmas Day, to be a legal holiday, 85. 
City, word "town" construed to include, 57. 

clerk, words "town clerk" construed to include, 57. 
Clerical assistance, commissioner may employ, 12. 
Clerk, of school committee, 22. 

See Town Clerk. 
Clothing for blind, deaf, and imbecile children, 67. 
Collection of poll taxes, 65. 

CoUege of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (R. I. State College), 42, 92, 95, 
Commissioner of public schools, 12. 
decision of, final, when, 28. 

duties of, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 29, 30, 39, 93. ' 
election of, 8, 12. 
may employ clerical assistance, 12. 



INDEX. 103 

Commissioner may visit schools receiving aid from State, 36. 
may withhold school money from town, when, 20, 23. 
powers of, to remit fines, 29. 

pro tempore, may be appointed by the governor, 12. 
school committee to prescribe rules and studies under direction of, 22. 
term of office of, 12. 

to aid in establishment of school libraries, 13. 
to apportion appropriation for public schools, 15. 
to approve consolidation of schools, 39. 
to be member of board of managers of R. I. College of Agriculture, 93. 

secretary of Board of Education, 9. 

trustee of Normal School, 29. 
to deduct portion of school money, when, 25. 
to draw appropriation for apparatus, 16. 

for free libraries, 10. 

for public schools, 16. 

for supervision, 19.' 
to furnish blanks, 21, 23. 

to hear appeals and decide on matters of dispute, when, 28. 
to hold teacher's institutes, 30. 

to notify general treasurer of forfeiture of school money, 16. 
to prepare programme for Arbor Day, 13. 

for daily salute to flag, 13. 

for Grand Army Flag Day, 13. 

for R. I. Independence Day, 14. 
to prescribe rules regulating appeals, 28. 

to receive applications for aid for high and consolidated schools, 39. 
to receive reports, 20, 21, 23. 
to render account to state auditor, 30. 
to report annually to Board pf Education, 13. 
to secure uniformity of text-books, 13. 
to submit statement to justice of supreme court, when, 28. 
to visit schools, 12. 
Committee. See School Committee. 
Compensation of members of board of education, 11. 

of superintendent of schools, IS, 19. 
Complainant in case of truancy, 33. 
Compulsory attendance, 31, 69. 
Computation of time, 57. 
Condemnation of land for school purposes, how made, 40. 



104 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

Condition of aid to free public libraries, 9. 
of employment of children, 48. 
of receiving teachers' money, 15. 
Consolidation of schools, 38, 39. 

by school committee, when, 39. 
Constitution of the State, extract from, 5. 
declaration of rights in, 5. 
educational provisions of, 7. 
objects of government under, 6. 
qualifications for office under, 6. 
religious freedom secured by, 6. , 

Construction of statutes, 56. 

of word "engaged," 57. 

importing masculine gender only, 56. 
singular number only, 56. 
plural number only, 56. 
"land" or "lands," 57. 
"oath," 57. 
"person," 57. 
"seal," 58. 
"sworn," 57. 
"town," 57. 
of words giving joint authority, 57. 
" insane person," 57. 
"justice of peace," 57. 
"month" and "year," 57. 
• "real estate," 57. 
"town clerk," 57. 
"town council," 57. 
"town sergeant," 57. 
"town treasurer," 57. 
"United States," 57. 
"ward clerk," 57. 
Corporations, literary and scientific, how formed, 86. 

powers of, 87. 
Costs not taxed to school officers, when, 29. 
Court, district, has jurisdiction under truant law, 34. 

Deaf, blind, and imbecile, period of education of, may be extended, Q& 
provision for education of, 66, 67, 75. 



INDEX. 105 



Decision of commissioner final, when, 29. 

of justice of supreme court final, 28. 
Dependent children. See State Home and School. 
Diminislilng danger in case of fire, 78, 80. 
Diplomas, Normal School, condition for receiving, 30. 

R. I. College, 45. 
Discontinuance for truancy and for being habitual truant, 34. 
Discontinued districts, powers and duties of, 17. 
Dismissal of teacher, when and how, 26. 
Dispute may be submitted to commissioner, when, 29. 
Distribution of educational pamphlets, 30. 
Disturbance of school or any public meeting, 95. 
Documents, penalty for neglect or refusal to deliver official, 60. 
Dogs, 82. 

to be licensed, 82. 
Dog tax in Newport county, 84. 

to be added to school fund, when, 84, 85. 
Donations for support of public schools, 7. 
Doors and windows to swing outward, when, 80, 81. 

not to be locked, 81. 

Education of deaf, blind, and imbecile, 11, 66, 67, 75. 

provisions of constitution for, 7. 
Election Day, national, to be legal holiday, 85. 

state, to be legal holiday, 85. 
Election of commissioner of public schools, 8, 12. 

school committee, 17. 

State Board of Education, 9. 

superintendent of schools, 18. 

truant officer, 32. 
Employer to keep certificate of children employed, 48. 
list of children employed, 33. 

to show same to factory inspector on demand, 48. 

to surrender certificate to child, when, 49. 
Employment of children forbidden, when, 48. 
Evening school appropriation, 16. 
Examination of pupils for Normal School, 29. 

of teachers, 25. 
Exclusion from school must be by general rule, 35. 

14 



106 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

Exemption from liability to send child to school, 31. 

from taxation, 64. 
Experiment station, 43, 95 . 
Expenses of State board of education, 11. 
Factory and manufacturing establishments defined, 50. 

inspection act, 47 . 

penalty for violation of, 48, 54. 

printed copy of, to be posted, where, 54. 

inspectors, 50. 

duties of, 51, 53, 54. 
how appointed, 50. 
Feeble-minded, provisions for, 66, 75. 
Fees allowed truant officer, when, 33. 

for books in free public library not to be exacted, 63 . 

not to be offered to school officers, 37. 

not to be received by school officers, 36. 
Fines for disturbing meetings or schools, 88. 

for employment of children in factories, 31, 54. 

for injury to property of libraries, 89. 

for neglect of duty, 35. 

for violation of chapter 73, 37. 

in school matters, commissioner may remit, 29. 

under factory Inspection act, 54, 55. 

under truant law, how used, 34. 
Fire escapes to be provided, when, 79. 

penalty for neglect to provide, 86. 
Flag Day, 24. 
Flags, foreign, not to be put up on schoolhouses, 91. 

United States, to be displayed on school buildings, 24. 
to be furnished by school committee, 24. 
daily salute to, 13. 
Forfeited or unexpended money, how treated, 15. 
Forfeiture of teachers' money, 15, 25. 
Fourth of May, R. I. Independence Day, 13. 

of July, to be legal holiday, 85. 
Free public libraries, aid for, 9. 

how established, 61, 63. 

how maintained, 63. 

incorporation of, 86. 

legacies or gifts to, 64. 



INDEX. 107 

Free public libraries, payments to, how made, 10. 

penalty for malicious mischief to, 89. 
for neglect to return books to, 89. 

powers of towns to appropriate money for, 61, 63. 

to comply with rules of board of education, 9. 

to report to board of education, 9. 

trustees of, election and duties, 63. 
Free text-books to be supplied by school committee, 23. 
Fund, permanent. See Permanent School Fund. 

for free public libraries may be accepted by town or city council, 63. 

Gender, how construed, 56. 
General provisions concerning taxes, 64. 
relating to public schools, 35. 
General Treasurer to have custody of school fund, 59. 
Gift to free public library, how receipted for, 64. 
Governor, member and president of State board of education, 9. 
of board of trustees of R. I. Institute for the deaf, 67. 

of R. I. Normal School, 29. 
to advise as to investment of permanent school fund, 59. 
to appoint board of control for State Home and School, 71. 

board of managers of R. I. College of Agriculture and Mcehanic 

Arts (R. I. State College), 44. 
commissioner of public schools, pro tempore, 12. 
factory inspectors, 50. 
State beneficiaries, blind, deaf, etc., 66. 
trustees of R. I. Institute for the Deaf, 68. 
Grand Army Flag Day established, 24. 
not a holiday, 25. 
observance of, 25. 
programme for, 13. 

Habitual truant, how treated, 33. 

High Schools, State aid for, 38, 97. 

Holidays, legal, what are, 85. 

Hygiene, instruction in, to be provided, 22. 

Idiot, provisions for education of, 66, 75. 

Imbecile, deaf, and blind children, 66, 67, 75. 

Improper children at State Home and School may be returned, 72. 

Income of school fund, how to be used, 59. 



108 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

Indebtedness of town, limit of, 62. 
Incorporation, 86. 

certificate of, 87. 
Incorrigible pupils may be suspended, 23. 
Injuring student, penalty for, 96 . 
Insane person, how construed, 57. 
Institutes and lectures for teachers provided for, 30. 

Joint authority, how exercised, 57. 

may be exercised by whom, 57. 
Joint school committee of towns, 18. 

how formed, 18. 

organization of, 18. 

powers of, 18. 

to elect superintendent, 18. 
Jurisdiction, justice courts to havO; in truant cases, 34. 

over State Home and School cases, with probate court, 73. 
Justice of peace, how construed, 57. • 

of supreme court, when may be appealed to, 28. 

Kindergarten instruction, not included in what elementary studies, 31. 

Labor Day, to be legal holiday, 85. 
Land, or lands, how construed, 57. 

how condemned for school purposes, 40 . 
Lectures on subjects of education, how provided, 30. 
Legacy to free public library, how discharged, 64 . 
Legal proceedings relating to public schools, 28. 
Letters, retiring officer to deliver official, to whom, 60. 
Libraries, free public, establishment and control of, by towns, 62. 

how aided, 9. 

how incorporated under general law, 86. 

legacies and gifts to, 64. 

malicious mischief to, 89. 

neglect to return books to, 89. 

powers of town to appropriate money for, 61, 63. 

to report to board of education, 9. 

trustees of, election and duties, 63. 
school, powers of town to vote money for, 61. 
commissioner to aid in establishing, 13. 



INDEX. 109 

Libraries, travelling, 10. 

liicense to sell liquor not to be granted within 200 feet of any school, 78 
Lieutenant-Governor, ex-officio member of State board of education, 31. 
of board of trustees of R. I. Institute for the Deaf, 67. 
of R. I. Normal School, 29. 
Limitation's of town indebtedness, 62. 

of town taxes, 62. 
Lincoln's Birthday, how honored, 24. 
Liquor, not to be sold near school, 78. 
Literary associations, how organized as corporations, 86. 
Location of R. I. College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (R. I State College), 43. 

of schoolhouses, 22. 

Malicious mischief to libraries, 89. 

Manufactiiring establishments, employment of minors in, 48. 

Maps and other school apparatus, provision for, 16. 

Masculine gender includes feminine, 56. 

Meetings, fine for disturbing, 88. 

of school committee, 18, 22. 

of state board of education, 9. 
Memorial Day, to be legal holiday, 85. 
Mercantile establishments, employment of minors in, 48. 
Mileage for Normal pupils, provision for, 30. 
Minors convicied under truant law, commitment of, 33. 

employment of, prohibited when, 48. 

to attend school, 31. 
Miscellaneous corporations, as libraries, how formed, 86. 

limited as to property, 87. 

may amend agreement. 88. 
Misdemeanor defined, 96. 

penalties for, 99. 
Money for schools, distributed how and when, 15. 

statements of, to be made by town treasurer, 20. 

to be received and paid out by town treasurer, 20. 

unexpended or forfeited, how treated, 15, 59. 
aionth and year, how construed, 57. 
Moral instruction must be given, 26. 

Neglect of duties by officers, 35. 

to return books to libraries, 89. 

to send children to school, to be inquired into, 33. 



110 LAWS EELATING TO EDUCATION". 

:No person to be excluded from school save by general rule, 35. 
Normal School, 29. See Rhode Island Normal School. 
Number, singular and plural, how construed, 56. 
Nuisances prohibited near schoolhouse, 36. 

Oath, how construed, 57. 

board of managers of R. I. College of Agriculture may administer, 46. 

factory inspectors may administer, 54. 

person authorized to issue age and schooling certificate may administer, 49. 
•Ofifences, against private property, 89. 

against public peace, 88. 

against public policy, 90. 

against the person, 96. 
• Officers, joint authority to three or more, how construed, 57. 

liability of, for neglect of duty, 60. 

offering of fees to, forbidden, 37, 91. 

of public schools, forbidden to receive fees, etc., 36. 

of schools receiving State aid to report annually, 10. 

to surrender official records, when and to whom, 60. 
•Overseers of the poor, duties of, in regard to R. I. School for the Feeble-Minded, 76. 

in regard to State Home and School, 73. 

(Parents to cause child to attend school, 31. 

penalty on, for non-compliance with truant law, 3 1 . 
iPenalty for bribery of school officer, 36. 
for defacing property, 88, 89. 
for degrading fellow student, 96. 
for disturbing meetings or schools, 88. 
for employing child contrary to law, 48. 
for employing teachers without certificate, 25. 
for failure to comply with vaccination law, 37. 

to deliver official records, 60. 

to provide fire-escapes, 80. 

to send children to school, 31. 
for making false registry. 35. 

false returns or other neglect of duty, 35, 91. 
for malicious mischief to property of libraries, 89. 
for misappropriating moneys, 35. 
for neglect to return books to library, 89. 
:for non-remittance of returns, 20, 21, 23. 



INDEX. Ill 

Penalty for refusal to give information, in school census, 21. 

to permit schools to be visited by school committee, 36. 
to show certificates and list of children employed, 33, 48.. 

for truancy, 33. 

general, 37. 
Penalties, etc., school commissioner may remit what, 29. 
Pensions, teachers', 27, 94. 

appropriation for, 28. 
who may receive, 27, 94. 
Permanent school fund, 7, 15, 58, 84. 

additions to, 15, 59, 84. 

auctioneers' fees to be added to, 59. 

custodian of, 59. 

investments for, 59. 

not to be diverted by General Assembly, 7. 

town share of school money, when to be added to,. 15, 59„ 

uses of income of, 59. 
Person, how to be construed, 57. 

Physiology and hygiene, instruction in, to be given, 22. 
Places of employment to be visited by factory inspectors, 51 „ 

by truant officers, 33. 
Plural number includes singular, 56. 
Poll taxes, collection of, 65. 

for support of public schools, 66. 

method of assessing, 65. 

to be credited to school accoimt, when, 20. 

when and on whom assessed, 65. 
Powers of school committees, 18, 20, 21, 26, 32, 36, 39. 

of towns and town officers, 17, 38, 40, 61. 

of, and suits by and against, towns, 60. 
Printing report, money reserved for, 23. 
Private schools, may be approved when, 32. 

to be registered and report, 10. 
Proceedings in case of children in State almshouse, 73. 
Proceeds of dog licenses to be used for schools, 84. 
Process under truant law, by whom served, 33. 
Programme for Arbor Day, 13. 

for daily salute to the flag, 13. 

for Grand Army Flag Day, 13. 

for Rhode Island Independence Day, 14.. 



112 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION, 

Property liable to, and exempt from, taxation, 64. 

penalty for injury to, 88, 89. 
Providence, schools of, how to be governed, 36. 
Public libraries. See Libraries 
Public money apportioned to towns, 15. 
Public records, 59. 
Public schools. See Schools. 
Pupils. See Scholars. 

Qualifications for free tuition in Normal School, 29. 
required of teachers, 25. 

of superintendents, 18. 

Real estate, corporations may hold, 87. 

how condemned for school puri^oses, 40. 
Reference books, appropriation for, 16. 
Refusal to allow visitation forfeits State aid, 36. 
Register of scholars to be kept by teachers, 26. 

to be provided for private schools, 11. 
Regular appropriations for support of schools, 15. 

Religious purposes, buildings and land held for, exempt from taxation, 64. 
Religious societies, what property of, exempt from taxation, 64. 
Remission of fines and forfeitures, how done, 29. 
Repeal of statutes, effect of, 58. 
Report of Board of Control of State Home and School, 74. 

of board of education, 11. 

of commissioner of public schools, 13. 

of factory inspectors, 51. 

of private schools, 10. 

of school committee to commissioner, 23. 
to town meeting, 23. 

of schools aided by State, 10. 

of town treasurer, 20. 

of treasurer of R. I. College of Agriculture (R. I. State College), 45. 

of trustees of R. I. Institute for the Deaf, 69. 
Returns of school census, where deposited, etc., 21. 

Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (R. I. State College), 42, 
92, 95. 

a body corporate, 42, 95. 

appropriation for, 44. 



INDEX. 113 

Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (R. I. State College), acts 

of congress relating thereto, 43, 95. 
board of managers of, 42, 92, 95. 

duty of, 44. 

employ faculty, 45. 

expenses of, 46. 

officers of, 45. 
change of name of, 95. 
experiment station in, 43, 95. 
location of, 43. 
object of, 43, 95. 

terms of office of members of board of managers of, 44, 92, 95. 
to have moneys received from United States, 43. 
treasurer of, to give bond, 45. 

to make annual report to general assmbly, 45. 
vacancies in board of managers of, how ffiled, 44, 93. 
Rhode Island Institute for the Deaf, 67. 
management of, 67. 
may issue certificates, 70. 
object of, 68. 
who may attend, 69. 
who may be admitted to, 68. 
who must attend, 69. 
Rhode Island Normal School, 29. 

graduates from, entitled to diploma, 30. 

qualifications for free tuition in, 29. 

to be open to children of deceased soldiers and sailors, 37. 

travelling expenses of pupils in, 30. 

trustees of, how constituted, 29. , 

may admit certain pupils for tuition, 30. 

to prescribe examination of applicants for admission, 29. 
Rhode Island School of Design, 46. 

board of education, how appoint beneficiaries at, 47. 

how pay tuition fees, 47. 

to elect two directors of, 46. 
State beneficiaries at, 47. 
to make annual report, 46. 
Rhode Island School for the Feeble-Minded, 75. 

board of education may provide buildings for, 75. 



114 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

Bhode Island School for the Feeble-Minded, board of education to have control 
of, 75. 
to make report of, to general assembly, 78. 

establishment and maintenance of, 75. 

method of commitment to, 76. 

overseers of poor to receive applications for admission to, 76. 

school department to be maintained in, 75. 

who may be received, 76. 
Rhode Island State College, 95. 
Rules and regulations, for appeals, 24, 28. 

for libraries, 9, 63. 

for schools, to be made by committee, 22. 

Sailors, children of dead or invalided, schools free to, 37. 

Salute to the flag in schools, 13. 

Scholars authorized to attend in adjoining town, when, 22. 

may be suspended, when, 23. 

not to attend school unless vaccinated, 37. 

register of, to be kept by teacher, 26. 

school committee to make rules for classification of, 22. 

text-books and supplies to be loaned to, 23. 

to be taught principles of morality and virtue, 26. 

transportation of, 39. 
Schoolbooks. Text-Books. 
School census, returns of, made to whom, 20. 

taken when, 20. 
School Commissioner. See Commissioner of Public Schools. 
School Committee, appeal from, how taken, proceedings thereon, 28«i, 
V choice of, 17. 

election of, 18. 

fees to, prohibited, 36. 

may consolidate schools, when, 39. 

may dismiss teachers, when, 26. 

may pay tuition, 23. 

may reserve money for printing report, 23. 

may suspend pupils, when, 23. 

may unite with committees of other towns for election of superintendent, 18. 

members of, ineligible to teach public school, 26. 

meetings of, 18, 22. 

mmaber of, 17. 



INDEX. 115 



School Committee, officers of, 22. 

of Providence, 36. 

power of, to change text-books, 24. 

schools to be under care of, 17, 22. 

to approve private schools,, when, 32. 

to cause flags to be displayed, 24. 

to draw orders, when, 22. 

to elect superintendent of schools, 18. 

to furnish free books and supplies, 23. 

to issue age certificates, 48. 

to locate schoolhouses, 22. 

to make rules and regulations, 22, 24. 

to manage schools wholly, 23. 

to prescribe course of study, 22. 

to provide for attendance of children in adjoining town, 22. 

to provide instruction in physiology, etc., 22. 

to report to commissioner, 23. 
to town, 23. 

to select teachers, 23. 

to take school census, 20. 

to visit schools, 23, 36. 

vacancy in membership of, how filled by town council, IS. 
School district, what powers remain to discontinued, 17. 
School fund. See Permanent School Fund. 
Schoolhouses, foreign flags not to be raised over, 91. 

how supplied with furniture, fixtures, etc., 17. 

land for, how condemned, 40. 

may be built by town, 17. 

nuisances near, prohibited, 36. 

sale of liquor near, prohibited, 78. 

to be located by school committee, 22. 

to be provided with fire-escapes, 79. 
School libraries, power of town to vote money for, 61. 

State appropriation for works of reference, etc., for, 16. 
School of Design. See Rhode Island School of Design. 
School officers prohibited from taking fees, 36. 

what ones are ineligible to teach, 26. 
Schools aided by State, to be visited by public school officers, 36. 

evening, 16. 



116 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

Schools, consolidation of ungraded, 38, 39. 
by school committee, when, 39. 

provisions against forfeiture of State aid in case of, 39. 
general supervision of, vested in board of education, 8. 
high, State aid for, 38, 97. 
must be maintained, 17. 

private, to register and report to board of education, 10. 
scholars may attend, in another town, 22. 
to be visited by committee, 22. 
ungraded, may be consolidated, 38. 
School supplies furnished at expense of town or city, 23. 
Seal, what is meant by, 58. 
Singular number, how construed, 56. 

Soldiers and sailors children of, have free tviition when, 37. 
Special statutes to prevail, 37. 
State Home and School for Children, 70. 

board of control of, how appointed, 71. 
how constituted, 71. 
secretary of, duties and term of office of, 71. 

to have compensation, 71. 
to establish system of government, 71. 
to keep register of children, 74. 
to report to general assembly, 74. 
to receive what children, 72. 
control and maintenance of, vested in whom, 70. 
object of, 72. 

what children may be sent from poorhouses to, 73. 
State school money, how apportioned, 15. 
Statutes, construction of, 56. 
repeal of, effect of, 38. 
special, to prevail, 37, 58. 
take effect when, 58. 
Studies in schools, how prescribed, 22. 
Submission by agreement to school commissioner, 29. 
Successors in office, retiring officers to deliver official possessions to, 35, 60. 
Superintendent of schools, compensation of, 18, 19. 
duties of, 18. 
how elected, 18. 

to hold certificate of qualification, 19. 
towns may unite for employment of, 18. 



. INDEX. 117 

Supreme court, justices of, to hear and decide on school appeals, when, 28. 
Surety for costs not to be given by truant officer, 35. 
Suspension of pupils by school committee, 23. 

Tattooing, how punished, 97. 

Tax, for free public libraries, what and when, 62. 

town to raise by, for schools, amount equal to State appropriation, 15. 
Taxation, property liable to, and exempt from, 64. 
Teacliers, 25. 

certificates to, by State Board of Education, 25. 

examination of, 25. 

may be dismissed, when, 26. 

minimum salary of, 98. 

must have what qualifications, 25. 

pensions for, 94. 

State appropriation for schools to be applied to wages of, 15. 

to be hired by committee, 23. 

to have certificate of qualification, when, 25. 

to impart what moral instruction, 26. 

to keep record of pupils vaccinated, 37. 

to keep registers and make reports, 26. 

what school officers ineligible as, 26. 
Teachers' certificates, 25. 

Teacliers' institutes, appropriation for, how expended, 30. 
Teacliers' money, drawn on order of commissioner, 16. 

forfeiture of, 15, 25. 

State appropriation to be denominated, 15. 

what, and how used, 15. 
Tenure of office, of board of control of State Home and School, 70. 

of board of managers of R. I. College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (R.I. 
State CoUege), 42, 92. 

of commissioner of public schools, 12. 

of school committee, 17. 

of State board of education, 9. 

of trustees of R. I. Institute for the Deaf, 68. 
Text-books, may be changed, how, 24. 
bow in Providence, 24. 

receiving or offering fees for exchange of, forbidden, 36. 

school committee to place in school rules for use of, 22. 

to be fm-inshed at expense of town or city, 23. 



118 LAWS RELATING TO EDUCATION. 

Thanksgiving Day, appointment of, as legal holiday, 85. 
Time, how computed, 57. 
Town, how construed, 57. 

entitled to what part of State appropriation for schools, 15. 

entitled to State aid for providing high school facilities, 38, 97. 

may build schoolhouses, 17. 

may consolidate schools, 38. 

may establish and maintain free public libraries, 61. 

may pay tuition for high school facilities, 38. 

may vote money for free library not its own, 62. 

may vote money for schools, 61. 

power of, to assess ratable property, limited; exceptions, 61, 62. 
to incur debt, limited; exceptions, 62. 

powers and duties of, relative to schools, 17, 38, 60. 

to make appropriation for free public library, 61, 63. 

to maintain schools, 17. 
Town clerk, how construed, 57. 
Town council, how construed, 57. 

to elect board of trustees of free public library, 63. 

to fill vacancy in school committee, 18. 
Town or city council may accept gift of free library, 63. 
Town sergeant, how construed, 57. 
Town treasurer, construction of words, 57. 

custodian of all school money, 20. 

duties of, in receiving and paying school moneys, 20. 

to make statement to committee, 20. 

to report to school commissioner, 20. 
Transportation of pupils, 39. 

Travelling expenses of pupils in Normal school, money for, 30. 
Travelling libraries, 10. 

appropriation for, 10. 

how established and maintained, 10. 

payments to, how made, 10. 
Truant children and attendance at school, 31. 
Truant officers, duties of, 32, 33. 

how appointed, 32. 

may serve legal processes, 33. 

to demand names of children employed, 33. 

to visit all places employing children, 33, 



INDEX. 119 

Truants, district courts have jurisdiction of, 34. 

Truants, may be committed to suitable places of instruction, 34. 

may be placed on probation, 34. 
Trustees of free public library, divided into classes, 63. 

elected by town council, 63. 

to have charge of library, 63. 

vacancies in, how filled, 63. 
Trustees of R. I. Institute for the Deaf, how appointed, 68. 

how constituted, 68. 

to report to general assembly, 69. 
Trustees of Rhode Island Normal School, how constituted, 29. 

may admit pupils for tuition, 30. 

may give diplomas, 30. 

may pay travelling expenses of pupils, 30. 

to make retm-ns to general treasm-er of all money received, 30. 
Tuition in high school, town may pay, 38. 

United States, includes what, 57. 
Union of schools, 38. 

Vacancy in board of control of State Home and School, how filled, 71 . 

in board of managers of college of agriculture, (R. I. State College), how 
filled, 44, 93. 

in board of trustees of R. I. Institute for the Deaf, how filled, 68. 

in office of trustee of free puplic library, how filled, 63. 

in school committee, how filled, 18. 

in State board of education, how filled, 9. 
Vaccination, compulsory, as a prerequisite to enter school, 37. 
Violation of laws relative to public schools, penalties on, 25. 
Voluntary associations, how formed, 86. 

Ward clerk, how construed, 57. 

VTashington's birthday, to be legal holiday, 85. 

Words, construction of, in statutes, 56, 57. See Construction. 

Tear, how construed, 57. 



